Heavy Police Presence Locks Down Nairobi During Saba Saba Anniversary

Police maintained a heavy security presence across Nairobi on Tuesday to prevent demonstrations during the Saba Saba anniversary, arresting at least seven people in the city centre as roadblocks and patrols disrupted movement and business activity.

Uniformed and plainclothes officers were deployed across the city on foot, horseback and in vehicle convoys. Witnesses said several protesters were detained and taken away in police vehicles, including one activist who was reportedly forced into the boot of a car. Police also set up roadblocks at key entry points into Nairobi, where motorists underwent security checks before being allowed to proceed. 

The operation limited public gatherings, leaving many streets quiet and businesses closed. Siaya Governor James Orengo briefly spoke to journalists on Wabera Street despite the security operation. 

He said, "All of us should mark this day without the pressure we are witnessing now. I don't know why the security officers are doing this." His remarks came as police restrained a man nearby, reflecting the tense situation in the city centre.

Groups of activists also tried to gather at All Saints Cathedral and near Jogoo House but were quickly dispersed by police. Officers said they had not received formal notification of any public procession. Organisers, however, said they had complied with the legal requirements and intended to hold peaceful marches calling for reforms and greater economic accountability.

The Saba Saba anniversary is observed every year on 7 July and marks an important moment in Kenya's democratic history. It commemorates the 1990 protests led by opposition figures Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, who called for an end to one-party rule. 

The rally at Kamukunji Grounds was met with a violent police response that resulted in deaths and mass arrests, but it became a significant milestone in the country's transition to multiparty democracy.