Open roads now- Rights groups say after police block major Nairobi roads ahead of June 25 protests

Barbed‑wire barricades erected around Parliament Buildings, Nairobi. (Amina Wako)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Thursday, June 25, 2026

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The commission said the road closures imposed an unlawful and disproportionate burden on millions of Kenyans and called on police to allow citizens to commemorate lives lost during last year's anti-government protests.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Katiba Institute called on police to immediately remove roadblocks erected on major roads leading into Nairobi's Central Business District, saying the closures violate a court order and unlawfully restrict citizens' constitutional rights.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the rights body accused police of defying a High Court order obtained last year following a petition by Katiba Institute, which barred authorities from obstructing public roads without providing timely advance notice to allow the public to seek alternative routes.

"Last year, after a petition by Katiba Institute, the High Court barred police from obstructing public roads without providing a timely advance notice to allow the public to seek alternative routes. Police today defied the court order, erecting barriers along major public roads leading into Nairobi's central business district," KHRC said.

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Katiba Institute expressed concern over what it termed the continued disregard of court orders by police, citing the barricading of roads leading to and within Nairobi's central business district without prior notice to the public ahead of the June 25 demonstrations.

The lobby group noted that on July 9, 2025, the High Court issued conservatory orders restraining the Inspector General of Police and officers under his command from mounting barricades or roadblocks that prevent members of the public from accessing Nairobi's CBD or other public roads without issuing a timely advisory.

The orders were subsequently extended on October 2, 2025, pending the determination of the petition.

"Today's barricades raise serious concerns about continued disregard for court orders and the constitutional principle that all public authorities are bound by the law. The rule of law requires compliance with court orders, especially by those entrusted with enforcing them," Katiba Institute said.

Motorists and passengers travelling into Nairobi faced major disruptions on Thursday morning after anti-riot police mounted roadblocks and sealed off key entry points to the city ahead of demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests.

Traffic built up along major routes leading into the capital, including sections of Thika Superhighway, as police intensified security checks and restricted access to the central business district. Long queues of vehicles formed at several locations, slowing movement and leaving many commuters stranded.

Police barricades were mounted at strategic points along Thika Road, including Githurai, Allsops, Kahawa and the Ruiru bypass. Access to the CBD from the Westlands roundabout was also affected, while a heavy police presence was reported along Waiyaki Way.

Other routes impacted by the operation included Lang'ata Road, Mlolongo, Athi River and sections of Mombasa Road, where officers mounted roadblocks and restricted movement into the city.

Videos circulating online showed hundreds of passengers and pedestrians gathered along roadsides after being forced to disembark from public service vehicles.

The heightened security measures come as Kenyans commemorate the June 25, 2024, protests, during which thousands of young people took to the streets to demand government accountability and reforms.