Tens of police blockades paralyse transport into Nairobi CBD ahead of June 25 memorial protests
The ongoing heavy security operation has senn officers seal off key entry points into the CBD, disrupting both public and private transport and leaving many workers unable to reach their places of employment despite government assurances that Thursday would remain a normal working and school day.
Thousands of commuters are stranded and forced to walk long distances this morning after police mounted extensive roadblocks and barricades on major routes leading into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), effectively paralysing transport into the city ahead of demonstrations marking the anniversary of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests.
The ongoing heavy security operation has senn officers seal off key entry points into the CBD, disrupting both public and private transport and leaving many workers unable to reach their places of employment despite government assurances that Thursday would remain a normal working and school day.
Those with ailing patients seeking medical attention for their loved ones were not spared either.
Road closures are affecting motorists approaching the city from virtually all directions, with police restricting access along Jogoo Road, Kiambu Road, Limuru Road, Parklands Road, Waiyaki Way, Uhuru Highway, Juja Road, Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Lang’ata Road and Wangari Mathai Road, formerly Forest Road. .
Vehicles from Eastlands and the Industrial Area that ordinarily access the city centre through Landhies Road are being turned back at the City Stadium roundabout, while matatus operating along Jogoo Road and Enterprise Road were diverted to Muthurwa Market after being denied entry into the CBD.
At the intersection of Wanagri Mathai Road and Limuru Road as well as Parklands Road and Wangari Mathai Road, motorists are being barred from gaining free passage.
Motorists using Waiyaki Way are encountering police barricades near the 87 area in Kangemi and Kinoo, while traffic from Ongata Rongai and Mombasa Road was blocked from joining Uhuru Highway and redirected at the Nyayo Stadium roundabout along Bunyala Road.
Police also erected barricades at roundabouts linking Ngong Road to Haile Selassie Avenue and Kenyatta Avenue, effectively cutting off access to the city centre through Uhuru Highway.
Along Thika Superhighway, roadblocks are mounted at Githurai Roundabout, Ruiru Footbridge, Ruiru Bypass and Allsops caused heavy traffic snarl-ups stretching through Roysambu, Kasarani and surrounding estates.
Motorists are ebingforced to seek alternative routes through Garden Estate and Muthaiga to connect to Kiambu Road, while traffic heading into the city at Roysambu Junction was diverted onto Kamiti Road.
Further west, police maintained a heavy presence at King’eero Junction on Lower Kabete Road and the Western Bypass interchange, with reports indicating that matatus were being turned back towards Wangige.
The disruptions have extended beyond Nairobi County, with motorists travelling from Machakos experiencing lengthy delays on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway due to checkpoints mounted at Mlolongo, Kenya-Israel and Kyumbi.
A major traffic build-up was reported at Mlolongo from as early as 5:30 am as police restricted movement into the city.
Hundreds of commuters were stranded at Kyumbi Junction amid an acute shortage of public transport vehicles, while armed police officers patrolled areas around Mlolongo Roundabout, Backyard Hotel and Shell Petrol Station.
Within the CBD, major streets are currently unusually quiet, with many businesses keeping their doors closed as security officers intensified patrols and erected barricades.
Kenyatta Avenue is largely deserted, while Parliament buildings are ringed with razor wire ahead of planned memorial activities by activists intending to lay flowers in honour of those killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
At around 6:30 am, activity at the Odeon bus stage was minimal, with only a handful of commuters and vehicles visible.
Bunyala Roundabout was also barricaded, preventing motorists from accessing the city centre.
Several commuters reported being turned away by officers, with some police officers allegedly telling members of the public, “Hakuna kazi leo, rudini nyumbani” (There is no work today, go back home).
The widespread restrictions sparked frustration among Nairobi residents, particularly after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had assured Kenyans on Wednesday that Thursday would remain a normal business and school day.
“Tomorrow is a normal working and school day. However, the police received a notification from some citizens who would like to engage in public demonstrations,” Murkomen said.
He said police were prepared to provide security and guide protesters in line with constitutional provisions, while urging demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid confrontation with law enforcement officers.
Murkomen cited Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities, provided such actions are peaceful and unarmed.
