Nairobi commuters faced significant disruption this Monday morning, July 7, as police roadblocks brought major city roads to a standstill. Thousands attempting to reach the Central Business District and surrounding areas found their journeys hampered, leading to widespread delays and frustration.
The police action comes despite a court order explicitly prohibiting the erection of such roadblocks ahead of planned protests.
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.
The gridlock effectively paralysed key routes into and out of the city, leaving countless residents stranded and unable to access their workplaces.
The move by police comes after Gen Zs planned to hit the streets for the Saba Saba Day protests even as the government urged restraint.
Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku on Monday ordered all civil servants to report to work without fail. He stated that the government would take stern action on civil servants who would not follow the directive.
Business people were also urged to open their businesses as usual, despite the tensions. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen on Sunday promised that security and safety would be assured amidst the developments.
However, all public service vehicles (PSVs) were forced to reroute or altogether halt their operations upon approaching major roadblocks. Only personal cars were granted access but only after inspection.
On Juja Road, Kenyans.co.ke spotted Kenya Air Force officers from Moi Eastleigh Airbase helping the police to man the roadblocks.
The developments come at a time when tensions continue to simmer ahead of the planned Saba Saba Day protests.
Thousands of youth particularly the GenZs had announced intentions to hold protests in major cities and towns to commemorate the struggle for multipartism and victims of police brutality.
Ahead of the protests government had blocked hundreds of youth who had planned to travel to Nairobi from Mombasa from Summer Tide festival.
Additionally, Kenya Railways announced the cancellation of its travel for passenger trains over what it termed as technical hitches.
This was however met with uproar by Kenyans on social media over what they said were deliberate plans by the government to limit protests.
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