as Kenya marked this year’s Saba Saba Day, reports emerged that thousands of Kenyans were denied access to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) due to heavy police presence and road barricades. However, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Gilbert Masengeli has dismissed these reports, insisting that all citizens were free to enter the city.
“Everybody is getting into the CBD, everybody is going for duty as normal,” said Masengeli during a patrol in the capital.
Despite this assurance, numerous citizens, commuters, and civil society organizations have reported significant restrictions on movement, particularly in and out of Nairobi’s city center, sparking a debate about the state’s commitment to constitutional freedoms.
Saba Saba Protests 2025 and National Security Measures
The annual Saba Saba protests commemorate the historic struggle for multiparty democracy in Kenya. However, in 2025, the day has taken on new significance as a youth-led digital movement has emerged, calling for economic reforms, accountability, and justice amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis.
In anticipation of these protests, security agencies responded with an aggressive deployment of personnel and barriers across major urban centers. Nairobi was most affected, with strategic entry points to the CBD barricaded as early as 4:00 am.
Major Nairobi Roads Closed on Saba Saba Day 2025
Commuters reported that roads such as:
- Thika Road
- Jogoo Road
- Waiyaki Way
- Mombasa Road
- Uhuru Highway
- Kenyatta Avenue
- Valley Road
- Ngong Road
- Kilimani Link Road
were either fully or partially blocked by General Service Unit (GSU) and other security officers.
Checkpoints were established, allowing only government vehicles, emergency responders, and authorized personnel into the CBD. This paralyzed public transport services, with matatus, taxis, and ride-hailing services forced to halt operations due to restricted access and reduced foot traffic.
Thousands of Nairobi Workers Forced to Trek
As a result of the roadblocks, many Nairobi residents attempting to report to work were left stranded. Some chose to trek for long distances—up to several kilometers—into the city center, while others gave up entirely and returned home.
“I left home in Embakasi at 5:00 am thinking I would be at work by 7:00. I’ve been walking for two hours because there are no vehicles past GM on Mombasa Road,” said Lydia, an office assistant working in Upper Hill.
The disruption particularly affected civil servants and essential workers, who had earlier been directed by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku to report to work as usual.
Government Directive vs Ground Reality
In a circular issued over the weekend, CS Ruku stressed that all government employees were expected to report for duty on Monday, July 7. However, the blockade of roads leading into the city starkly contradicted this directive, leaving many unable to comply.
While the DIG maintained that “no Kenyan would be turned away,” eyewitness reports and social media videos showed crowds being held at police barricades and motorists ordered to turn back without clear explanations.
Civil Society Condemns Blockade, Cites Violation of Rights
Human rights organizations and political observers have expressed concern over what they described as a systemic suppression of constitutional freedoms, particularly the right to movement, peaceful assembly, and work.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), in a statement, said the state was using “intimidatory tactics to stifle public dissent”, pointing to the heavy-handed nature of the barricades and mass surveillance across the city.
“This is a blatant contradiction. On one hand, the police say the CBD is open. On the other, thousands of Kenyans are turned away at roadblocks. This is not rule of law,” said KHRC program officer Janet Achieng.
DIG Masengeli’s Defense: “We Are Not Blocking Anyone”
While patrolling the CBD with GSU Commandant and NPS Director of Operations Adamson Bungei, DIG Masengeli reassured the public that law-abiding citizens would not be barred from entering the city.
“You’ll not be turned away. Ours is just to urge everybody to keep peace and confine within the rule of law,” Masengeli stated.
However, journalists and citizens at the scene noted that access remained restricted in most parts of Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, and around Kencom, areas that are usually teeming with activity, especially on weekdays.
Public Backlash and Growing Distrust in State Actions
Many Kenyans have taken to social media to vent their frustration with the government’s lack of transparency and consistency regarding the roadblocks and civil freedoms.
Hashtags such as #SabaSabaDay, #UnlockNairobi, and #LetUsWork trended on X (formerly Twitter), with netizens accusing the state of weaponizing security forces to curb democratic expression and disrupt livelihoods.
Small business owners also expressed concern that the disruptions would lead to massive losses, particularly those operating in downtown Nairobi.
Calls for Dialogue and Accountability
Political analysts warn that continued disregard for the constitution and use of excessive force or obstruction during nationally significant protests like Saba Saba could deepen public discontent and erode trust in state institutions.
“The government must find a way to balance national security with civil liberties. Denying access to the city on a symbolic day like Saba Saba sends the wrong message,” said Dr. Charles Oyuga, a political analyst based in Nairobi.
There are now calls for Parliament to summon Interior Ministry officials, including the DIG and Inspector General of Police, to explain the events and justify the heavy deployment and lockdown of Nairobi.
What Happens Next?
As the day ends, the tension from the morning’s blockade and contradictory government statements continues to simmer. Public transport remained disrupted throughout the day, and there was no official communication on when roadblocks would be lifted.
Meanwhile, civil society and opposition leaders are pushing for a public inquiry into the state’s actions on Saba Saba Day, citing violations of the Constitution and economic disruption.
Conclusion
The events of Saba Saba Day 2025 have reignited national conversations around freedom of movement, protest rights, and government accountability. While DIG Gilbert Masengeli denied claims of a Nairobi CBD blockade, the reality on the ground painted a different picture.
With thousands stranded, businesses disrupted, and trust in government communication faltering, the day underscored a growing disconnect between state messaging and citizen experience. What remains now is whether the government will acknowledge this misstep—or double down on its narrative.