Clashes erupt between police and protesters on the Thika Superhighway

Police clashed with protesters on Thika Superhighway Monday afternoon as crowds tried to reach downtown Nairobi. Officers blocked demonstrators from marching into the Central Business District for Saba Saba Day events. The confrontation turned ugly when police launched tear gas at the crowds. Protesters fought back with chants and regrouped along the busy highway. Many carried flags and used loudspeakers to voice their demands.

Authorities had set up roadblocks across major routes leading to the capital city. Armoured police trucks sat at key highway junctions to back up officers on foot. Protesters abandoned their cars and walked toward town as security forces tried to stop them. More people joined the march despite the heavy police presence. The crowds kept growing as demonstrators pushed forward.

Saba Saba marks the 1990 protests that started Kenya's push for multi-party democracy. Young Kenyans have adopted the day to protest economic problems and government failures. The government shut down the entire city center to prevent trouble. Security teams controlled all roads into downtown Nairobi and only let government vehicles pass. Critics say the tough response made tensions worse and violated people's rights to peaceful assembly.