Motorists experienced major disruptions on Tuesday morning after police officers mounted roadblocks on several key roads leading to and from Nairobi ahead of the anticipated Saba Saba protests.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The heavy police deployment caused long traffic snarl-ups along major routes, with reports of vehicles being stopped and subjected to security checks at various entry points into the capital.

Among the affected roads were Thika Road, Jogoo Road, Pangani Interchange, Kiambu Road, Outer Ring Road, Lang'ata Road, and roads leading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Checkpoints were also reported at Blue Post, Ruiru, Githurai and Allsops along Thika Road, leaving many commuters stranded in traffic for extended periods.

📌 What You Need to Know

A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke showed both private and public service vehicles lined up at various checkpoints, with passengers forced to alight in some sections.

It comes hours after the National Police Service (NPS) announced that it would enhance police checkpoints across Nairobi on July 7 as a security measure following previous incidents of violence during Saba Saba commemorations.

In a public notice on Monday, July 6, the NPS said the increased security presence was intended to control both human and vehicle movement and to safeguard businesses and members of the public.

"NPS wishes to inform all members of the public that, in light of experience during the Saba Saba commemoration, which is usually observed on 7 July, some members of the public have caused breaches of the peace, thereby interfering with the normal conduct of business for those not participating in the demonstrations," the police service said.

"As a security measure, there will be enhanced police checkpoints on various roads within Nairobi city tomorrow, 7 July 2026, to control both human and vehicular movement.”

The police urged members of the public to cooperate with officers at the checkpoints and comply with lawful instructions, warning that anyone engaging in unlawful activities would face the full force of the law.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke