Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Tuesday conducted a security assessment in parts of Nairobi and Kiambu counties as police enforced heightened security measures during the Saba Saba protests.
Kanja visited Muthurwa in Nairobi County and Githurai 45 in Kiambu County, where he inspected security deployments and interacted with residents and police officers stationed in the two areas.
The Inspector General was accompanied by Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli and other senior officers, according to the National Police Service (NPS).
During the visit, Kanja spoke with residents, some of whom raised concerns about the security measures, saying they had disrupted movement and normal activities.
One resident told the Inspector General he had been unable to report to work because roads had been blocked despite earlier assurances that members of the public would be allowed to go about their normal business provided they observed the law.
The resident said police had appealed for peace ahead of the day and urged Kenyans to comply with the law, but questioned why major roads remained inaccessible even though, according to him, no demonstrations had taken place in the area.
Kanja also inspected police officers deployed at various security points in Nairobi and Kiambu as authorities monitored the situation during the planned demonstrations.
The assessment came as police mounted extensive security operations across Nairobi following calls for nationwide Saba Saba protests organised by youth groups and human rights organisations.
The National Police Service had announced that it would establish enhanced checkpoints on various roads leading into Nairobi as part of measures to maintain law and order during the demonstrations.
"As a security measure, there will be enhanced police checkpoints on various roads within Nairobi city on 7 July 2026, to control both human and vehicular movement. Members of the public are urged to obey and cooperate with the National Police Service to ensure that peace and order prevail," the service said in a statement.
Police said the security measures had been informed by previous Saba Saba protests, which they said were characterised by destruction of property and disruption of business by individuals who were not part of the demonstrations.
The National Police Service warned that any unlawful acts would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The demonstrations were intended to press for action on issues including economic justice, transparency, accountability, alleged police brutality, alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Police have maintained that the demonstrations were not lawfully notified, with Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud saying the service only became aware of the planned protests through social media.
He said police had put in place adequate security arrangements to protect lives and property, adding that access to some parts of the city, including Parliament, would be controlled as part of the security operation.
By Tuesday afternoon, transport had been disrupted in parts of Nairobi, with many public service vehicles staying off the roads as commuters experienced delays travelling into the central business district.
