Nairobians avoid city over Sabasaba violence fears

NAIROBI COUNTY: Most work stations and business premises in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) Monday remained closed for fear of violence during the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy's (CORD) Saba Saba rally at Uhuru Park.

The usual hustle and bustle of River Road, the focal business area in the CBD was conspicuously deserted and ominously silent, with the major stalls in the area staying closed.

Business owners who opened their shops complained about the slow flow of clients, saying they registered huge losses, unlike other Mondays which are usually good for business.

The shopping malls and mainstream supermarkets were heavily guarded by security personnel deployed in the city.

"It is almost midday and our restaurant is still empty. Most of the breakfast we prepared was not sold and we do not have any higher expectations for other meals today," lamented Esther Wairimu, a manager at a restaurant in the CBD.

Wairimu, like many other restaurant and shop operators, had deployed some of her workers to man the entrance and monitor the state of security in the area.

"The slightest signs of protest, chants or gunshots will lead to closure till we ascertain that it is calm again," she said.

Parking areas in the CBD remained empty while security checks were intensified around the major highways leading into the city.