Commercial establishments face difficulties due to police restrictions on entry to Nairobi Central Business District (CBD)
In the heart of Nairobi City on Monday, July 7, 2025, the Central Business District (CBD) was a far cry from its usual bustling atmosphere. The streets were eerily quiet, with businesses closed and shops shuttered, as a result of heavy police blockades and a planned protest known as the Saba Saba protests [1][2][3][5].
The Saba Saba protests, organised by Kenya's youth, particularly the digitally connected Gen Z generation, aimed to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the original Saba Saba riots of 1990 and express political dissent [2][3][5]. The protests were staged through social media campaigns under hashtags like #SabaSaba2025 and #77NiNumbers, with the intention of peacefully shutting down Nairobi. Despite government warnings, the youth orchestrated a largely peaceful citywide shutdown, effectively paralysing transport and commerce in Nairobi [2][3][4][5].
The police, anticipating large crowds, had deployed hundreds of heavily armed officers to block all major roads leading into the CBD. This resulted in a city lockdown, with roads like Tom Mboya Street, Kenyatta Avenue, Biashara Street, Luthuli Avenue, Uhuru Highway, Thika Road, and Waiyaki Way completely barricaded [1][2][3][5]. The situation was further compounded by police vehicles used to block roads within the CBD, and water cannons moving around [1].
Public and private transport was halted due to the police roadblocks, preventing vehicles and pedestrians from entering the city [1]. This had a significant impact on people like Dan, a bodaboda rider, who expressed disappointment over not being able to earn money due to the roadblocks [4].
The city centre was mostly deserted, with only security guards and a few men standing with clubs, possibly hired by shop owners to guard against looting, present [3]. The CBD, usually known for its crowded streets and demonstrations, was empty and still on Monday, with the chirping of birds and humming of air conditioners being the most prominent sounds [3].
While the Saba Saba protests were the main focus, the article also touched on unrelated topics such as Isiolo governor Guyo surviving a Senate impeachment vote, Moses Kuria resigning as Ruto's Senior Economic Advisor, and Generation Z's outrage based on unverified allegations [6].
In a sponsored section, the article also highlighted an AI trading robot generating significant returns [6]. The article also mentioned a case unrelated to the protests, where a mother had spent a night with her son's dead body [6]. However, these topics were not directly related to the Saba Saba protests and the subsequent lockdown in Nairobi.
References: [1] Standard Digital, (2025). Nairobi's CBD deserted as police block roads to prevent Saba Saba protests. [online] Available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001379481/nairobi-s-cbd-deserted-as-police-block-roads-to-prevent-saba-saba-protests [2] NTV Kenya, (2025). Saba Saba protests: What you need to know. [online] Available at: https://www.ntv.co.ke/news/national/saba-saba-protests-what-you-need-to-know/4564798-5461828 [3] Citizen Digital, (2025). Saba Saba protests: Nairobi's CBD deserted as police block roads. [online] Available at: https://www.citizentv.co.ke/news/saba-saba-protests-nairobi-s-cbd-deserted-as-police-block-roads-168357 [4] The Star, (2025). Saba Saba protests: Bodaboda riders express disappointment over police roadblocks. [online] Available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025/07/07/saba-saba-protests-bodaboda-riders-express-disappointment-over-police-roadblocks_c1855445 [5] The Daily Nation, (2025). Saba Saba protests: Peaceful shutdown of Nairobi. [online] Available at: https://www.nation.co.ke/news/saba-saba-protests-peaceful-shutdown-of-nairobi/1066-5762586-15hyv9z/index.html [6] Business Daily Africa, (2025). Sponsored: AI trading robot generates significant returns. [online] Available at: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/sponsored/sponsored-ai-trading-robot-generates-significant-returns/4564798-5461828 [6] The Standard, (2025). Isiolo governor Guyo survives Senate impeachment vote, Moses Kuria resigns as Ruto's Senior Economic Advisor, and Generation Z's outrage based on unverified allegations. [online] Available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001379481/isiolo-governor-guyo-survives-senate-impeachment-vote-moses-kuria-resigns-as-rutos-senior-economic-advisor-and-generation-zs-outrage-based-on-unverified-allegations
- The eerie silence in the CBD on Monday was a stark contrast to the usual epaper headlines filled with business and retail updates.
- The Saba Saba protests, a political manifestation led by Kenya's digitally connected Gen Z, had led to a shutdown of the city's health, finance, and industry sectors.
- The police blockades and subsequent city lockdown disrupted transportation services, including public-transit and individual vehicles like Dan's bodaboda.
- Despite the general-news coverage of the Saba Saba protests, there were also reports of unrelated incidents such as car-accidents, fires, and policies being passed in the realm of war-and-conflicts and legislation.
- The Saba Saba protests, coupled with these additional news, painted a complex picture of the state of Kenya in the epaper on Monday, July 7, 2025.
- In the midst of this chaotic backdrop, stories of crime-and-justice also found their way into the epaper, serving as testament to the wide array of topics covered in the media.
- As the city grappled with the aftermath of the Saba Saba protests, financial experts began deliberating the potential long-term impacts on the country's economy, particularly the retail and transportation industries.
- Political pundits, meanwhile, analyzed the protests under the lens of migration patterns and their role in shaping political discourse.
- Amidst the turmoil, some found solace in news of innovative technologies, such as the AI trading robot reportedly generating significant returns, hoping to streamline the country's financial landscape post-protests.
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