(NYERI) – Major towns across central Kenya were brought to a standstill on Monday, 7 July 2025, as widespread demonstrations linked to the 35th Saba Saba commemorations disrupted normal life and paralysed transport along key routes, including the Great North Road, a vital trade artery connecting Nairobi to South Sudan through northern Kenya.
In Karatina town, Nyeri County, the epicentre of the protests, activities came to a halt as early as 7am. Businesses, banks and public transport services shut down, and schools suspended learning.
Youths took over the Karatina–Nairobi highway, part of the Great North Road that links Nairobi with Nanyuki and further north toward the South Sudan border. The highway is a key route for commercial goods and passengers moving between Nairobi and South Sudan.
Demonstrators lit bonfires, set up barricades and chanted anti-government slogans. A kiosk was set ablaze as tension escalated between the protesters and security forces. Attempts to loot a local supermarket were also reported.
The protests, largely driven by youths, began peacefully around 7:30am but quickly turned confrontational by 9:30am when anti-riot police attempted to clear the highway. The demonstrators responded by throwing stones, leading to fierce running battles in the streets of Karatina.
In nearby Nyeri town, business owners closed early amid heavy police patrols. Clashes erupted around 11am when a group of youths attempted to enter the central business district. Police dispersed the crowd using tear gas.
By 12:30pm, clashes between police and protesters continued in Karatina, although tensions in Nyeri town had slightly eased.
The unrest also spread to other counties. In Embu and Ngurubani towns, demonstrators blocked roads such as the Embu–Makutano highway with burning tyres and stones, causing severe traffic jams. Traders in these towns quickly closed their shops, fearing possible looting.
When police attempted to disperse the crowds, protesters resisted, hurling stones at officers. Security forces eventually overpowered the demonstrators, clearing the roads.
In Murang’a County, youths blocked the Sagana border crossing into Kirinyaga, erecting at least five makeshift roadblocks. They reportedly charged motorists to pass, disrupting transport between Murang’a, Kirinyaga, and Embu counties. These routes serve as critical links for goods moving from Mombasa Port and Nairobi to northern Kenya and into South Sudan.
| Affected Route/Town | Impact |
|---|---|
| Karatina–Nairobi Highway | Blocked by protesters, trade and travel halted |
| Nyeri Town | Business closures, police–protester clashes |
| Embu–Makutano Road | Barricaded with bonfires, major traffic delays |
| Ngurubani Town | Shops shut, road disruptions |
| Murang’a–Kirinyaga (Sagana) | Roadblocks set up, motorists charged to pass |
| Maua Town, Meru County | Bonfires lit, roads barricaded, police on high alert |
In Maua town, Meru County, a similar pattern emerged as protesters barricaded key roads using stones and bonfires. Police maintained a strong presence to prevent escalation.
While no direct mention of South Sudan was made by the protesters, the indirect effect on cross-border trade with South Sudan was evident. The disruption of transport along the Nairobi–Nanyuki–Lokichogio route, a key part of the Northern Corridor, impacted the movement of cargo heading towards Juba.
The demonstrations marked another round of pressure on Kenyan authorities by youth-led groups demanding improved governance and economic reforms.
The events also highlight the vulnerability of regional trade to internal unrest in Kenya, especially for landlocked neighbours like South Sudan.
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