KDF officers patrol section of Nairobi-Nakuru Highway amid unrest

William Muthama 07th July, 2025 07:17 PM

KDF officers maintain presence in Naivasha as part of efforts to restore order along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway. PHOTO/@KdfMajeshi/X

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were on Monday, July 7, 2025, recorded patrolling parts of the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway to restore order as tensions escalated during Saba Saba demonstrations.

In Naivasha, KDF officers were seen keeping watch in the area around Safari Centre following an attempted looting incident at a Naivas supermarket located within the complex.

Earlier in the day, the highway was thrown into disarray at the Free Area section of Nakuru, where scores of youth staged fiery protests.

Demonstrators lit bonfires using tyres and debris, bringing traffic to a standstill and paralysing movement in both directions. Motorists were stranded for hours, with long queues snaking along the road and no immediate police response on the scene.

KDF officers seen calmly interacting with protesters at Naivasha during Monday’s demonstrations.
PHOTO/KdfMajeshi/X

Meanwhile, in Nairobi, a different scene unfolded. KDF personnel were captured interacting calmly with protestors at the Ngong Racecourse along Ngong Road.

In stark contrast to the typical images of protest response using teargas, water cannons, and running battles, this time there were no live bullets as the officers moved to contain the situation.

KDF officers seen calmly interacting with protesters at Ngong Race Course, Nairobi, during Monday’s demonstrations. PHOTO/Screengrab by K24 Digital of TikTok livestream by @kkmedia

The soldiers were seen speaking directly with protestors, urging calm and maintaining a non-confrontational posture.

The presence of the military has sparked mixed reactions. While some residents welcomed the move as a stabilising force amid widespread chaos, others expressed concern over the normalisation of military deployment in civilian spaces a signal, they argue, of deteriorating public order under civilian policing.

Earlier in the day, looting was reported in Roysambu, where a Quickmart supermarket was raided and vandalised. Police have yet to confirm arrests in connection with that incident, and many stores in major towns shut down in fear of further violence.

KDF officers patrol in Naivasha following unrest along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway. PHOTO/Screengrab by K24 Digital of TikTok livestream by @kkmedia

As Kenya marked the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba movement, what began as a peaceful commemoration has now taken a volatile turn.

The role of the military in managing internal unrest once a rare sight is now becoming a visible feature of Kenya’s protest landscape.

Author

William Muthama

William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]

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