SABASABA: KDF Spotted Manning Nairobi-Nakuru Highway During Protests
On Monday, July 7, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were deployed on stretches of the Nairobi-Nakuru route, where Saba Saba protests threatened to escalate into full-fledged confrontations.
The officers were seen patrolling prominent locations along the route, with some KDF forces observed at the Safari Centre in Naivasha following a failed attempt by goons to infiltrate a Naivas Supermarket in the region.
Prior to the KDF’s deployment on Monday, various areas ranging from Waiyaki Way in Nairobi to Nakuru reported disturbances caused by goons who ignited bonfires and set up boulders along the busy highway.
At the Free Area in Nakuru, thousands of young people staged heated rallies, leaving motorists trapped for hours over fears about violent protests.
Relative peace was restored along the route after the deployment of KDF officers, who were fully armed with military gear and armored vehicles.
Armed military personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were on Monday evening seen stationed in Naivasha along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway in what appeared to be an operation to contain the escalating #SabaSaba2025 protests that had spiralled into chaos earlier in the day. pic.twitter.com/joCVEDjPij
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 7, 2025
Interestingly, Kenyans reacted positively to the presence of KDF officers at protest sites in both Nairobi and Naivasha, with photographs shared online showing friendly exchanges between the two parties.
This was in stark contrast to how bystanders reacted to regular anti-riot police officers who were involved in running confrontations with protestors for most of Monday afternoon.
The military presence in regions such as the Nairobi-Nakuru route has frequently sparked disagreement among Kenyans.
Military personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were on Monday evening seen in Naivasha along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway in what appeared to be an operation to contain the escalating #SabaSaba2025 protests pic.twitter.com/9hdU8IfyxQ
— Kahawa Tungu (@KahawaTungu) July 7, 2025
Kenyans expressed major worries about the normalisation of military deployment in civilian areas.
Under the 2010 Constitution and the Kenya Defence Forces Act, the KDF can respond to domestic disturbances in the country, but only under exceptionally unusual circumstances.
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Article 241(3)(b) of the constitution allows the military to enter civilian areas in times of disaster or to restore peace. However, this generally requires Parliament’s consent.
The Defence Act also requires that military deployments be announced in the Kenya Gazette within 24 hours, with detailed information on the scope, duration, and area to be occupied.
Last year, KDF’s presence on the streets became the norm after they were deployed on June 25 to protect key infrastructure amid protests.
The orders, issued by then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, remain in effect, meaning the soldiers can appear on the streets if and when they are needed.
SABASABA: KDF Spotted Manning Nairobi-Nakuru Highway During Protests
