Police have sealed off Parliament Road, erecting a razor wire ahead of the Saba Saba protests scheduled for July 7, 2025.
The country’s youth are bracing for demonstrations in Nairobi and major towns.
Ahead of the demonstrations in Nairobi, police have also intensified operations and blocked major roads.
Razor wire is a type of security barrier made of sharp-edged metal strips designed to cause injury and prevent access.
Commonly used around prisons, military installations and high-security zones, its primary role is to create both a psychological and physical deterrent.
But in Kenya today, razor wire is no longer just fencing. It has become a symbol of tension, memory, and state response.
As of Monday morning, Nairobi’s Parliament was encircled with glinting coils of razor wire, barricades, and a heavy police presence.
Videos and photos of the razor wire, now viral, have drawn mixed reactions.
Some say it’s a justifiable shield. Others call it a wall between the government and citizens.
By 6:30 am, several major roads in Nairobi had been closed as police intensified operations to restrict access to critical areas.
Road closures were reported on Thika Road at Roysambu and Guru Nanak, Wayaki Way at Kangemi Flyover, Mombasa Road at GM Motors, Ngong Road at City Mortuary Roundabout, Valley Road near the Department of Defence and Integrity Center, Juja Road at Pangani Interchange, and Lang’ata Road near T-Mall.
Security has also been tightened at key intersections.
Heavy deployments were seen at Uhuru Highway and Kenyatta Avenue roundabout, Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie roundabout, Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, and in the vicinity of Parliament Road and Harambee Avenue.
Police patrols were visible in downtown areas including Ronald Ngala Street and River Road.
Restricted zones around Parliament, City Hall, and State House remain inaccessible with a strong police presence.
Crowd density in the city was reported as sparse, though authorities anticipate numbers could rise as the day progresses.
Police have advised the public to avoid the central business district and use alternative routes.
