KISERIAN, Kenya — A significant turnout of youthful protesters marked Saba Saba Day in Kiserian, Kajiado County on Monday, with demonstrations characterized by the lighting of bonfires in the middle of roads and subsequent confrontations with anti-riot police.
Videos reviewed by Vivid Voice News showed protesters engaging in running battles with law enforcement. After a period, the officers, seemingly outnumbered, were compelled to retreat to their positions.
The protesters maintained their presence on the roads for the majority of the day, with chants echoing across the area.
The annual Saba Saba protests, observed every July 7, commemorate Kenya’s historical struggle for multiparty democracy.
This year’s demonstrations have garnered renewed momentum from a burgeoning youth-led digital movement demanding heightened government accountability and crucial economic reforms.
These young activists had called for renewed action following the June 25, 2025 protests, which served to commemorate lives lost during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations of June 2024.
Also Read: Raila Odinga to join Saba Saba rally at Kamukunji Grounds over rights violations, economy
In response to the anticipated unrest, police had proactively barricaded various inlets to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), effectively blocking access.
Entry points into the CBD have been sealed off, resulting in minimal activity reported within the city center.
Reports indicate several confrontations between police and protesters in other hotspots, including Kangemi, areas along Thika Road, and Kitengela.
A heavy police presence remains deployed in areas identified as potential protest flashpoints, with armored vehicles, water cannons, and razor wire among the equipment utilized by law enforcement. Officers on horseback are also conducting patrols across the city center.
