Police mounted roadblocks across Nairobi and arrested several demonstrators as Kenyans marked the 36th anniversary of the country’s Multi-Partisim.
Nairobi, Kenya (Running Africa) — Kenyan police arrested several demonstrators and deployed a heavy security presence across Nairobi and other major towns on Monday as thousands marked Saba Saba Day with renewed anti-government protests calling for improved governance, economic reforms, and greater accountability.
At least seven protesters were arrested near Nairobi Archives and along Wabera Street after police moved to disperse crowds attempting to gather in the city center. Uniformed and plain-clothes officers maintained a visible presence throughout the capital, while security operations intensified at key public sites.
Authorities erected roadblocks along major transport corridors, including Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, and Thika Road, as part of efforts to limit movement into the central business district. Roads leading to Parliament were sealed off with barbed wire, public transport services faced significant disruptions, and many businesses remained closed amid concerns over potential unrest.
During the demonstrations, Siaya Governor James Orengo briefly addressed journalists on Wabera Street before police intervened.
“All of us should mark this day without the pressure we are witnessing now,” Orengo said, moments before officers detained a protester nearby.
The protests coincide with the 36th anniversary of Saba Saba, the historic 7 July 1990 uprising that became a defining moment in Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy.
The movement began when opposition leaders Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia called for a public rally at Kamukunji Grounds to challenge the one-party rule of then-President Daniel Arap Moi. Security forces violently dispersed the gathering, leaving several people dead and hundreds arrested. Despite the crackdown, the demonstrations became a catalyst for political reform, contributing to the restoration of multiparty democracy in Kenya.
More than three decades later, Saba Saba continues to serve as a powerful symbol of democratic activism and civic engagement. This year’s demonstrations once again reflected growing public dissatisfaction over governance, the rising cost of living, economic hardship, and demands for greater political accountability.
The heightened security response underscores the government’s concerns about potential unrest, while the annual commemoration continues to highlight Saba Saba’s enduring significance in Kenya’s democratic history and the ongoing debate over civil liberties, economic challenges, and political reform.
