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Saba Saba: Kivutha Kibwana slams police over roadblocks
07th July, 2025 09:25 AM
Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has strongly criticised the government over the heavy deployment of police and the erection of roadblocks across major roads during Saba Saba Day, calling the move extreme and draconian.
Kibwana, who was scheduled to appear for a live interview on a local television station on Monday, July 7, 2025, morning, failed to reach the studios due to multiple police barriers in Nairobi.
“So, you know, I didn’t know that the government had woken up earlier than the citizens,” he said in a phone interview.
“I got stopped. There was a roadblock on Ngong Road. Then I thought that I could access through another road, so I did that. But again, after, I think, somewhere near Mlolongo, there was another roadblock.”
The former County chief, a respected constitutional lawyer and veteran of Kenya’s pro-democracy movement, said the current restrictions on freedom of movement are reminiscent of the darkest days in the country’s political history, only worse.
“I think this is extreme. I remember, as a university lecturer in 1990, we were able to go to Uhuru Park. It took a bit of effort, but there wasn’t this kind of restriction of freedom of movement to the extent that it was impossible to go there,” he stated.
Police barricade
Kibwana added that even during the height of the Saba Saba protests in the late 1980s, when he was a prominent figure in the struggle for multiparty democracy, Kenyans could still access public spaces and demonstrate.
“This situation is completely draconian. During the critical Saba Saba of 1987, when I was a spokesperson of the pro-democracy movement, we were able to get to our demonstrations. But today, as I was trying to come to town, not a chance,” he remarked.
Kibwana also expressed concern over the impact of the heightened security measures on ordinary Kenyans, especially families.
“When you see those kids and their parents, there is no transport. It’s really heartbreaking,” he said.
The government has defended the roadblocks, citing the need to maintain order during anticipated protests.
However, human rights organisations and opposition leaders argue the move is part of a wider campaign to stifle dissent and civic activism.
Saba Saba, marked every 7 July, commemorates the struggle for democratic reforms and remains a key date in Kenya’s political calendar.
