Roadblocks, empty streets as Nairobi marks 35th Saba Saba day

By Sean Ngirici/ The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Kenya marked its fight for democracy on Monday, as majority of the town remained closed with police blocking main roads in Nairobi.

There is heavy presence of the police in town deployed to avert violent clashes and looting

Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on July 7, 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi.

This year’s event comes as young Kenyans — frustrated over economic stagnation, corruption and repeated acts of police brutality — are once again engaging in protests that have degenerated into looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed.

In Nairobi the streets were quiet after police mounted roadblocks on the main roads, preventing most people from entering the Central Business District (CBD), with many businesses closed for the day.

There were chaos across the counties as the police engaged the youth in running battle.

Roads particularly affected by the early morning lockdown included sections of Thika Road at Roysambu, Kasarani and Guri Nanak, Mombasa Road at GM and Bunyala Roundabouts, and the Eastern Bypass at 75 Roundabout. 

Commuters on Waiyaki Way faced similar predicaments at Kangemi and Museum Hill, while those on Kangundo Road were stalled at Njiru and near Mama Lucy stage, as well as at Donholm. Further blockades were reported on Jogoo Road at City Stadium and along Juja Road. There are also roadblocks along Kiambu Road, Landhis Road, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Arwings Kodhek and Valley Road.