Nairobi Police Chief Declares Upcoming Saba Saba Protests Illegal, Vows Hardline Crackdown On Demonstrators

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has officially declared today’s anticipated “Saba Saba” demonstrations unlawful, issuing a stern warning that law enforcement agencies will treat any individual participating in the protests as a criminal.

Addressing journalists during a high-stakes security briefing, the regional police boss maintained that the state security apparatus has not received any formal, statutory notification from civil society groups or political organizers regarding the planned marches. Under Kenyan law, specifically the Public Order Act, organizers of public assemblies are legally mandated to notify the local police station commander in advance, explicitly detailing the date, exact routes, and times of the intended procession.

“We have not received any notification, even from the neighboring counties. To us, the planned protests are merely allegations and are therefore illegal. A peaceful and unarmed demonstration starts with a notification indicating the date, routes, and time. That has not happened,” Commander Mohamud stated emphatically.

The police chief argued that without the execution of these mandatory legal steps, the planned demonstrations lack any foundational legal basis and cannot be accommodated or protected by state security officers.

To ensure a coordinated containment strategy, Mohamud revealed that he has chaired extensive, multi-jurisdictional security strategy meetings with fellow regional commanders from Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado counties. These surrounding areas historically serve as major transit points into the capital and often mirror the security disruptions witnessed within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) during period of civil unrest.

“We have held meetings with commanders from Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Nairobi because we face common challenges during protests. We have seen reports on social media about the planned Saba Saba demonstrations tomorrow, but we have never been notified, which is a legal requirement,” Mohamud added.

The primary driver behind the aggressive, preemptive security posture is the state’s deep-seated concern over economic disruption and property destruction. Commander Mohamud noted that intelligence vectors point toward opportunistic criminal elements who plan to exploit the political undertones of the Saba Saba anniversary to orchestrate widespread looting, vandalism, and violence against private businesses.

Vowing an unyielding response, the Nairobi police boss warned that anti-riot units have been fully briefed and deployed across critical government installations and strategic entry points into the city. “If you gather anywhere tomorrow, we will treat you as criminals. We are aware that previous protests failed and that there are plans to incite violence and engage in looting. We will deal with anyone involved firmly,” he concluded.