Traffic flow along some major roads outside Nairobi County has also been paralysed after Sabasaba day protests broke out in different parts of the country.
Photos obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, on Monday, July 7, showed protesters blocking the Karatina-Nairobi Highway and the Embu-Nairobi highway using stones as they burned tyres and wood.
Businesses along the roads have been forced to close due to safety concerns. Police officers were also spotted on the scene trying to calm the situation but with little success.
“It started so early and It does not look good, the situation is intensifying as time goes by,” one protestor in Mwea was heard saying.
According to organisers, the demonstrations are part of the Saba Saba Day protests, which are allegedly aimed at pressuring President William Ruto into listening to the grievances of Kenyans.
In Nairobi, Police set roadblocks along major city roads, in turn blocking thousands of people attempting to gain access to the Central Business District, which is usually the epicentre of demonstrations.
Affected roads 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, Waiyaki Way, Kangundo, as well as Jogoo Road.
There were also roadblocks along Kiambu Road, Landhis Road, Uhuru Highway, Kenyatta Avenue, Arwings Kodhek, and Valley Road on Monday morning.
All public service vehicles were forced to halt operations upon reaching the blocks and only personal cars were granted access but only after inspection, a situation that has in turn left thousands of workers unable to access their workplaces.
Speaking in Embu on Sunday, July 6, the Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku claimed that it will be business as usual for all civil servants, adding that they were required to report to their workplaces on time.
The government, which assured that it would provide adequate security to prevent the protests from descending into mayhem said that business people across the country should continue with operations without fear.
In a statement on Sunday, the the National Police Service (NPS) issued a stern warning to protestors stressing that it would take action against anyone who tries to sabotage peaceful protests using weapons.
NPS who also urged police officers to carry themselves with professionalism, further cautioned the public against provoking the officers during the protests.
"Entering or attempting to access Protected Government installations or restricted areas is a violation of The Protected Areas Act, Cap 204 Laws of Kenya and shall attract immediate legal action," read part of the NPS statement.
"Looting, vandalism of any form and destruction of property, blocking roads, or even incitement to violence under the guise of protests shall not be tolerated. Such acts are criminal and shall be met with lawful action by security agencies," it added.
In a statement on his X account on Saturday, June 5, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui stressed that the public should remain vigilant and refrain from actions that may cause business destruction.
"The exercise of this right must not be hijacked by criminal elements, but unfortunately, this has become a trend. Business owners live in fear of victimization and the potential for violence," the CS said.
