Business in Nairobi CBD remain closed as Tuesday's protests commence
By Barack Oduor and Maureen Kinyanjui |
Supermarkets along Tom Mboya, Moi Avenue, and Ronald Ngala were closed, some temporarily out of service since last Thursday's demonstrations.
The Central Business District (CBD), typically active with early commuters, was unusually calm and quiet ahead of the Tuesday, July 2, 2024, protests.
The streets, usually crowded with people and vehicles by 6 am, were also sparsely populated.
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As seen by the EastleighVoice, most shops, especially in the downtown streets of Luthuli and Ronald Ngala, remained closed, with only a few open. The situation along Tom Mboya Street and Moi Avenue was similar, with many premises shut.
Supermarkets along Tom Mboya, Moi Avenue, and Ronald Ngala were closed, some temporarily out of service since last Thursday's demonstrations. Instead of the usual influx of office-goers, commuters, and shoppers, only a few people could be seen walking along the streets.
Few motorists were also observed, although public service vehicles (PSVs) operated as normal. Among the few commuters were parents and guardians escorting students heading back to school after the mid-term break.
Hawkers, hoping to earn an income before the protests escalate, could be seen along Mfangano Street along the sidewalks, selling face masks, handkerchiefs, and socks.
Heavy police presence in Nairobi CBD in anticipation of the #OccupyCBDTuesday protests. pic.twitter.com/VCH4FcDcpG
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
Police
There was also a heavy police presence in the CBD, with officers stationed in several areas, including the National Archives. Anti-riot police were also deployed outside critical buildings such as the Supreme Court, Parliament buildings, and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street, areas often used by protestors to enter the CBD, were also well guarded.
On roads leading to Parliament, such as City Hall Way, police were deployed to keep security from the Supreme Court precincts. Military carriers were also stationed around Parliament, especially in the areas that suffered damage in last week's protests and at the mausoleum of Kenya's first President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei was seen consulting with police officers at the entrance to Parliament. Bungei was coordinating police officers patrolling the Central Business District to keep off protestors who were regrouping around Tom Mboya Street.
Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei consulting with officers at the entrance to Parliament ahead of #OccupyCBDTuesday
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 2, 2024
Bungei is coordinating patrol of police officers around the CBD to keep off protestors who have now grouped around Tom Mboya Street. pic.twitter.com/lCIBIi2Rwo
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