Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has defended the deployment of roadblocks across Nairobi and its neighbouring counties, saying the measures are necessary to prevent violence and keep dangerous individuals from infiltrating ongoing peaceful protests.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Speaking on Thursday, June 25, Masengeli maintained that Kenyans remain safe and are carrying on with their daily activities despite the heightened security presence witnessed across major roads leading into the city.

"Kenyans are safe and are going on with their duties as usual. We are glad that there has not been any violence since this morning. We have not seen anybody's vehicle being burnt, and people are using the roads as usual," Masengeli said.

He added that while Kenyans have a constitutional right to protest, those rights are not absolute and must be exercised within the confines of the law.

📌 What You Need to Know

"Everybody has got a right, but the rights are limited. There are no roadblocks. We have not blocked anyone from using the roads. We are only blocking those who are attempting to cause violence. We are stopping vehicles to check whether some are carrying weapons and criminals. That is our work," he stated.

Masengeli's clarification follows a police decision to barricade key entry points into Nairobi and block several major highways on Thursday morning, disrupting transport and leaving thousands of commuters stranded as nationwide demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests are underway.

Roadblocks were mounted along sections of Mombasa Road , Thika Road and Lang’ata Road, while routes linking Nairobi to Athi River and Mlolongo were also affected as security agencies intensified operations across the capital.

The restrictions disrupted public transport services, with many matatus unable to access the Nairobi Central Business District during the morning rush hour.

A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke along Haile Selassie Avenue revealed unusually low traffic volumes, with only a few motorists and public service vehicles accessing the city centre amid the heightened security deployment.

On the Thika Superhighway, police mounted several roadblocks at Ruiru, Bypass, Allsops and Roysambu, causing major delays for commuters attempting to enter Nairobi.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke