Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Gilbert Masengeli has said that there is no truth to claims that people in Kenya are being stopped from going to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). He stated that everyone can move into the city freely.
On Monday, Masengeli asked citizens to follow the law and hold any protests peacefully.
“Everyone is getting to work without problems. No one is being turned away,” he explained. “We encourage everyone to keep their protests peaceful.”
However, on Monday morning, many drivers in Nairobi experienced big delays because police set up many roadblocks on important roads leading into and out of the city.
These roadblocks affected both private cars and public vehicles, leaving many passengers stuck.
Police checks were set up on main roads like Waiyaki Way, Kenyatta Avenue, Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, Thika Road, Kiambu Road, Uhuru Highway, Valley Road, and other smaller roads.
Only emergency vehicles and government cars were allowed to pass through. Many major businesses in the CBD were also blocked off with metal barriers because of concerns about possible looting.
A police officer at one of the checkpoints informed reporters that they had been told to limit cars entering the city. However, pedestrians could still walk through.
A worker at a city hotel mentioned that he had to walk from Westlands to the city centre because of the restrictions.
On Sunday, Geoffrey Ruku, the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, denied claims that Monday, July 7, would be a public holiday to celebrate Saba Saba. He made it clear that all public workers should go to work as usual.
“I want to tell all public workers in Kenya: Tomorrow, Monday, is not a public holiday. We are expected to be at work by 8 am and stay until 5 pm,” Ruku said.
He spoke just before inviting President William Ruto to speak at a special event celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the ACK Diocese of Embu at Kigari Teachers Training College.
