Police clear a section of the Nyeri–Nairobi highway that was barricaded by protesters in Karatina town during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025.
A tense stillness gripped at least 16 counties on Monday as Kenyans heeded the call to protest in the nationwide Saba Saba protests.
Businesses remained shut and public transport was disrupted across several urban centres as tension ran high throughout the day.
The protests were reported in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kisii, Nakuru, Embu, Kajiado, Nyeri, Narok, Laikipia, Murang’a, Meru, Machakos, Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu, Makueni, Kakamega and Nyandarua.
Counties where Saba Saba protests were reported on July 7, 2025.
In the Mt Kenya region, at least four people reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during protests in Karatina town, Nyeri County, as tension gripped the region.
Plainclothes officers in two vehicles were deployed at one point and fired live bullets to disperse demonstrators. The injured were treated and later discharged, according to medics.
Schools suspended learning after youths barricaded the main Karatina–Nairobi highway, which is part of the Great North Road that links the capital to the northeastern region. Tension escalated into running battles with police when a group of rowdy youths attempted to break into a supermarket.
In Meru, a man was shot in Maua town as protesters blocked roads with stones and bonfires.
Police had already sealed off the main entrances to Maua town, barring motorists and riders from accessing areas previously hit by looting and destruction during the June 25 protests.
Businesses in both Maua and Meru towns remained closed as traders secured their premises. The main matatu terminus in Meru was deserted, grounding all transport in and out of the town.
Magunas supermarket in Makutano town was set on fire, even as looters who wanted to break into Meru Dairy factory were fought off by workers.
North Imenti Sub-County Police Commander Ambrose Kyalo stated that police had not received any official notice for a procession and therefore termed the protests illegal.
“We have patrolled Meru town and its environs and deployed officers in all areas prone to attacks to ensure public safety. I urge the business community to continue with their work unperturbed,” said Mr Kyalo.
In Ngurubani town, Kirinyaga County, police dispersed demonstrators and engaged protesters in running battles.
The protesters had barricaded the Embu–Makutano road with bonfires for the better part of the morning, causing a major traffic snarl-up.
In Nanyuki town, Laikipia County, businesses stayed shut as police patrolled the streets. By 2 pm, youths mainly from the Majengo and Likii informal settlements engaged law enforcers in running battles while attempting to access the Central Business District.
Meanwhile, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Karanja Kibicho warned that the protests could intensify if the government continues to respond with force.
“Let us listen to these young people and Kenyans at large. All is not well in this country. Responding to protesters with brutality will only escalate the situation,” said Mr Kibicho, adding that high taxation and a dysfunctional economy were at the heart of the unrest.
Police officers clear a section of the Eldoret-Bungoma highway in Eldoret City that had been blocked by protesters on July 07, 2025.
In Rumuruti town, Laikipia County’s headquarters, about 100 youths barricaded the road leading to Nyahururu at around 10.30 am, burned tyres, uprooted road signs and torched a county government cess collection kiosk. Police later dispersed the group, which had been chanting "WanTam" slogans. By 1 pm, calm had returned, but shops remained shut.
In Murang’a County, hundreds of youths blocked the transport of goods and people at the Sagana River border with Kirinyaga County. Coordinating with their Kirinyaga counterparts, the protesters erected at least five roadblocks.
In Murang’a town, youths aboard pickup trucks conducted several processions as anti-riot police patrolled nearby without intervening. Wholesalers closed shop, while small and medium-sized enterprises operated minimally.
“There is no transport from Murang’a to Kirinyaga, Embu, or parts of Nyeri counties,” said Mr Simon Mukuria, chairperson of the area Transporters Association.
A protester stokes the flames of a bonfire lit by protesters on the Nyeri–Nairobi highway in Karatina town during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025.
He said protesters were demanding between Sh300 and Sh500 from motorists to allow passage before completely halting transport by midday.
In Embu town, demonstrators hurled stones at officers who responded with tear gas, forcing all businesses in the area to close.
In Nyeri town, three journalists, Mr James Maina and Mr Kamau Mwangi of Royal Media Services, and Ms Wahu Ngugi of Mediamax Network were attacked by goons while covering protests at the main matatu stage. The trio sought refuge in a police vehicle and escaped with minor injuries.
During the unrest, a boutique in Nyeri's central business district was looted.
In Kisii, at least five people sustained injuries after being struck by arrows during the Saba Saba protests.
A bonfire lit by protesters on a road in Kisii town during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025.
The injured were rushed to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, where a medical officer in the emergency department said the wounds were primarily to the arms.
“We received five patients with arrows lodged in their arms, but we ensured their safe removal,” the officer stated. Demonstrators began gathering in Kisii town as early as 8 am before engaging police in running battles. They lit bonfires and barricaded major roads in and out of the town.
Heavy police presence at Wote Town in Makueni County prevented protestors from accessing the town, which has been at the centre of previous protests.
The protestors lit a wrecked van on fire, near a garage, before police dispersed them. Earlier in the day, they lit a bonfire blocking one of the streets in the town before police quickly extinguished it.
In neighbouring Machakos County saw protestors engaged police in running battles in Machakos Town and Matuu township for the better part of the day. Police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse youthful protestors who lit bonfires to block key streets.
A man displays a placard in support of President William Ruto in Eldoret City on July 07, 2025.
Rowdy protestors engaged police in running battles along the main Uganda highway as they attempted to break into businesses after Saba Saba demonstrations turned chaotic in parts of Eldoret city.
The protestors played hide and seek games with the anti-riot police in Huruma and Shauri Yako estates after they disregarded the caution from elders against taking part in the demonstrations.
The irate protestors tolerated heavy downpour and threw stones at police while shouting 'Ruto must go'.
Police were forced to camp at Nyathiru area along the highway, which was a fierce battle ensured along the gateway to East and Central African countries.
In Nakuru, rowdy youth barricaded the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway and lit bonfires, disrupting transport on the busy road during the Saba Saba protests.
Protesters hang on a military Toyota Land Cruiser during the Saba Saba protest at Free Area along Nakuru-Nairobi highway on July 7, 2025.
Anti-riot police officers had a difficult time containing the youths who used tyres and heavy stones to block various sections of the highway.
Armed with crude weapons, the youths pelted stones at the police and blocked key areas including Free Area, Naivasha Town and Karai, engaging officers in running battles.
Police were forced to use teargas and, at times, rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.
Several businesses in Nakuru, including supermarkets, banks, restaurants and shopping malls, remained closed as owners feared a repeat of the June 25 protests during which shops and other business premises were looted and vandalised.
A female protester jumps over a bonfire as she flees from anti-riot police officers at Free Area, along Nakuru-Nairobi highway on July 7, 2025.
In Naivasha, a group of youths blocked sections of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway on Sunday night, ahead of Saba Saba Day.
They robbed several passengers, stealing cash and valuables worth thousands of shillings. Motorists caught off guard by the illegal roadblocks were forced to pay to proceed while others refused to stop.
The most affected areas included Kayole, Kinungi, Ihindu and the Flyover. However, police intervened to restore order.
Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo said calm had returned following the deployment of police to the affected areas.
In Kitengekla, it took atleast 200 heavily armed police officers backed by a police helicopter, three water canons and atleast 10 police vehicles including several unmarked Directorate of Criminal Investigations ( DCI) vehicles, to subdue hundreds of protesters who had taken the town captive on Monday morning hours.
Most of the businesses remained closed in town, but a section of youths took advantage of the chaos to loot some shops along Mwireri street.
There were also confrontations between police and stone-throwing youths that continued in the narrow streets of Kitengela town.
Traders at Nairobi’s Mukuru slums shut their business premises on Monday for fear of looting ahead of the planned protests.
In Industrial Area, typically a hive of activity on weekdays, factories remained closed with only security guards manning the main entrances.
Banks in both the Industrial Area and the Central Business District (CBD) also remained shut.
In Narok town, tens of youths who attempted to barricade roads were arrested by police.
One protester was shot dead and another seriously injured, during a confrontation between the police and protesters at Tumaini Market, about 10 kilometres from Ol Kalou town
Nyandarua Central Sub-County police boss Sammy Kamau told the Nation, that a police officer was also injured as the protesters engaged police officers in running battles.
The police boss said the protesters moved to Tumaini Market after they were stopped from accessing Ol Kalou town.
Reporting by Stephen Munyiri, Mercy Mwende, George Munene, Mwangi Muiruri, David Muchui, Mwangi Ndirangu, Wycliffe Nyaberi, Pius Maundu, Titus Ominde, Barnabis Bii, George Eric Matara, Mercy Koskei, Waikwa Maina, Vitalis Kimutai, John Njoroge, Stanley Ngotho, Sammy Kimatu and Tobby Meso
