GOVERNMENT URGES WORKERS TO REPORT TO DUTY AS ROADS LEADING TO CBD REMAIN CLOSED

Confusion gripped Nairobi on Monday morning 7 July 2025 after the government asked citizens to report to work but simultaneously closed all major roads leading to the Central Business District (CBD), citing security concerns.
Motorists and commuters were left stranded as police barricaded key entry points, including Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, and Moi Avenue, causing massive traffic snarl-ups and forcing some workers to walk long distances.
Interior Ministry officials maintained that the closures were necessary “to ensure safety and order,” especially in light of planned Saba Saba demonstrations. However, the move has drawn criticism, with many questioning the logic behind calling for normal operations while blocking access to the city center.
“It doesn’t make sense. We’re being told to report to work, but we can’t get there,” said Mary Achieng, a bank employee stuck in traffic on Mombasa Road.
Public transport operators also voiced frustration, with some abandoning routes altogether. Several businesses remained closed, and office attendance was visibly low.
Authorities have urged patience, promising to review access restrictions depending on the security situation throughout the day.