Clashes erupt on Thika Road as police block protesters on Saba Saba day

Police armoured vehicles on Thika Superhighway on July 7, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Tensions erupted along Thika Superhighway on Monday, July 7, as protesters marking the 35th Saba Saba anniversary clashed with police officers who had sealed off key routes into Nairobi’s central business district.
Police deployed armoured vehicles and officers in full anti-riot gear at strategic points including the  General Service Unit headquarters and Garden City junction. 
The heavy presence failed to deter demonstrators waving Kenyan flags and chanting slogans as they tried to march toward the city center.
The confrontation escalated when officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd near the GSU headquarters in Ruaraka.
 Protesters scattered into nearby streets before regrouping under plumes of tear gas, vowing to continue their march.
“We are not here to fight. We just want to be heard and to mark this important day,” said a protester.