Why Was Nairobi’s CBD Empty on Saba Saba?
On the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests, Nairobi’s Central Business District was left deserted as police flooded major entry points and highways to prevent anticipated demonstrations. In what many Kenyans are calling a massive miscalculation, the government deployed hundreds of heavily armed officers across major roads as early as 5 a.m., effectively locking the city down. Roadblocks were mounted at key locations including Kihunguro Bypass, Roysambu, Waiyaki Way, Ruaraka, Mlolongo, and Ngong, leaving commuters stranded and business owners helpless.
The city’s normally bustling streets, Tom Mboya Street, Kenyatta Avenue, Biashara Street, and Luthuli Avenue, were completely shut, with shops closed and only media vans and emergency vehicles moving freely. The eerie silence and empty roads painted a picture of forced inactivity rather than public unrest.
Did the Government’s Plan Backfire?
Online, Kenyans quickly reacted to the shutdown with satire and frustration. The dominant sentiment was that the government had managed to cause the very disruption it aimed to avoid. “To prevent protesters from closing roads, disrupting business and causing massive losses, the government has closed roads, disrupted business and caused massive losses,” one user posted on X. Another noted, “Today was not going to be even that massive. But the government fell for the trap… and now they’ve crippled the city themselves.”
Civil disobedience, it seems, was achieved without a single protester marching. No violence, no tear gas, no property damage, just silence, roadblocks, and a shutdown led by the State itself.
What Was the Public’s Reaction to the Forced Shutdown?
The response from Kenyans was swift, witty, and loaded with irony. Activist Hanifa Adan tweeted, “The police are getting rained on as they block every road while we stay at home warming our beds. Total shutdown and forced holiday executed by the state.” Eric Gachoka wrote, “They said it’s a normal workday, but no one can get into town? The Gen Zs have already won even without doing anything!”
Some even dubbed it a successful protest engineered by the government itself. “No business looted. No car was burnt. No Kenyan shot. No goons with clubs. I think Saba Saba was a success at 8:00 a.m. Congratulations Ruto, you protested against yourself!” wrote Allan Kavati.
Saba Saba, originally marked by violent clashes in 1990 that birthed Kenya’s multi-party democracy, was this year symbolized by a peaceful, state-induced shutdown.
By Lucky Anyanje
