Kenyan police have fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators during the latest wave of anti-government protests, which began last year.
The demonstrations coincide with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba (7 July 1990) protests, which marked the beginning of Kenya’s movement toward multiparty democracy.
From early morning, security forces blocked major roads leading into central Nairobi in an attempt to prevent access to the protest sites.
The city centre was largely deserted, with businesses closed and a heavy police presence on the streets.
Clashes erupted in various parts of Nairobi, where protesters lit fires and attempted to break through police cordons. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannons.
Tear gas was also fired to disperse crowds along Thika Road and in Kitengela, a town on the outskirts of the capital.
In Kamukunji near the site of the original 1990 Saba Saba demonstrations police engaged protesters who had set fires on the streets.
While most of the country remained calm, sporadic clashes were reported in a few regions.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of commuters and overnight travelers were left stranded at checkpoints; some more than 10 kilometers (six miles) from the city centre, as authorities restricted vehicle access.
8th July 2025
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