Tension is building ahead of what is expected to be a large anti-government protest in Nairobi.
In the chilly morning hours of July 7, 2023, violence rocked some roads leading to the capital city including Thika Road.
In videos shared on social media platforms, individuals were captured pelting stones at vehicles on the road. It however remains unclear whether they are among the protestors.
Police were deployed to calm the situation and restore normalcy on the busy highway.
This comes as the opposition leader Raila Odinga gears to lead the Saba Saba rally to inspire a rebellion against President William Ruto's administration over what he termed tyranny and punitive taxes.
Raila's team maintains that today's rally at Nairobi’s Kamukunji Grounds will be peaceful.
In previous demos, violence has been experienced with several confrontations between individuals and members of the police force and journalists being attacked while monitoring and reporting on the demonstrations.
Saba Saba Day is commemorated on July 7 of every year to reflect on Kenya's struggle for multi-party democracy in the early 1990s, popularly known as the 'Second Liberation'.
According to Odinga, today's protests will be used to launch the “Third Liberation”.
“Let us meet for the Saba Saba of our lifetime. On July 7, the people will take back the authority that was given to them. The people they elected have been bought by the government. That is why Kenyans will come out and say enough is enough,” he said.
