Business activities continued as usual in Eastleigh on Tuesday despite the Saba Saba demonstrations taking place in other parts of Nairobi and across the country, with traders opening their shops and transport services operating without disruption.
A spot check by the Eastleigh Voice found shopping malls across the business district open, with shops serving customers throughout the day. Restaurants were also operating normally.
Traffic flowed normally along major roads within the estate, including Yusuf Haji Avenue, General Waruinge Street and Second Avenue, despite heightened security in other parts of the city.
Public transport also continued without interruption as matatus operating between Eastleigh and Nairobi's Central Business District picked up and dropped off passengers at their usual stages.
Boda boda operators also continued with their usual activities, with riders picking up and dropping off customers at their designated stages.
Unlike previous demonstrations when police officers were deployed within Eastleigh to monitor the situation, there was no visible security presence on the streets of the business hub, as no demonstrations were expected in the area.
Businesses continue normally in Eastleigh, Nairobi, amid Saba Saba demonstrations. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
Although business operations continued, some traders said customer numbers were lower than on a normal Tuesday because of the demonstrations and the restriction of movement in other parts of Nairobi.
Mohamud Abdiqadir, who sells men's clothing in Eastleigh, said business had remained open as usual but expected sales to decline because many customers would not be able to travel to the area.
"I heard roads have been closed in other areas, meaning not many customers will be able to access Eastleigh," he said.
Other traders also reported that while customers continued visiting their shops, the turnout was lower compared to ordinary business days. However, they noted that the situation was much better than during previous demonstrations when many businesses remained closed, and customer traffic dropped significantly.
Some residents who spoke to the Eastleigh Voice said they had chosen not to participate in the demonstrations after police declared the protests illegal.
"I do not even know why people are demonstrating, the police said it was illegal," said Ibrahim Ahmed, a resident.
Businesses continue normally in Eastleigh, Nairobi, amid Saba Saba demonstrations. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
In a statement issued on Monday, the National Police Service announced that police officers would mount security checkpoints on major roads across the city to regulate the movement of people and vehicles as part of efforts to maintain order during the demonstrations.
According to the police, the measures were informed by previous Saba Saba commemorations, which authorities said had at times resulted in breaches of peace and disrupted normal business activities for people who were not participating in the demonstrations.
On Tuesday morning, security checkpoints were mounted on major roads leading into and out of Nairobi as the National Police Service prepared for the demonstrations.
A spot check by the Eastleigh Voice observed anti-riot police officers stationed at key entry points into the city, where they diverted vehicles and turned back some motorists in an effort to control movement during the annual commemoration.
The Saba Saba Day demonstrations mark Kenya's pro-democracy movement of the early 1990s, which was led by second liberation figures including Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. The annual event has become a day when groups organise demonstrations to raise different concerns affecting the country.
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