Peter Mbae: Saba Saba movement restrictions have made Monday a holiday
By Luke Oluoch, July 7, 2025Former Head of Government Delivery Services turned government critic, Peter Mbae, has chided the police for unwittingly making Monday a public holiday, contrary to the government declaration that it would be a normal working day.
Speaking to a local TV station about the increased police presence across the major roads leading to the Nairobi CBD and across the country, Mbae stated that the security agencies unwittingly created a holiday by restraining the movement of people and goods.
“Let us assume the calls to go to Kamukunji that were proposed by Raila. If it were to be undertaken, where would the people pass through? Already there are over 20 roadblocks; this is an automatic public holiday.
“You cannot say there is no holiday; where will the people pass through if they are going to their places of work? How will the people go about their business when police are everywhere?” He posed.
The former government employee also weighed in on the police response to managing demonstrations, advising that the law enforcement officers should by now be well advised in how to negotiate with the youthful demonstrators.
“The question is about how you manage them without creating a fuss. We always say violence begets violence, and how you manage the situation is paramount. The police should engage in listening first to the demonstrators, but the moment you start to engage them violently, they multiply themselves and things get out of control,” he stated.
Mbae comments as a huge contingent of police was witnessed manning major roads leading to Nairobi’s Central Business District ahead of the planned Saba Saba protests slated for Monday, July 7, 2025.
A spot check by K24 Digital confirmed the armed police mounting barricades on the major roads that lead to the city.
This comes as the roads remained deserted despite the government’s declaration that Monday would be a normal working day.
Major roads blocked
Among those roads that have access restricted are the Wayaki Way, which leads to the CBD from Westlands. The policemen manning the area could be seen stopping vehicles seeking access through what is normally a busy road.
At Valley Road, the law enforcement officers were seen momentarily stopping vehicles and inspecting even private vehicles.
The crackdown also did not spare pedestrians heading towards the city, with officers questioning a section of those going about their business and turning back others.
A similar stop was witnessed at the Thika Super Highway with a police block staged at Roysambu roundabout and along Ngong Road at the City Mortuary.
Saba saba demos
There were also reported stops at Ladhies Road, which connects the CBD to Jogoo Road, and along Kenyatta Avenue, Haile Sellasie Avenue, and Uhuru Highway.
The foregoing happened as Kenyans planned to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Sasa Saba events, a day that coincides with the country’s historic push for multipartyism.
The deployment follows widespread looting and violence across the city following recent demonstrations, such as the June 25, 2025, protest that marked a year after the demonstration of the 2024 Anti-Finance Bill.