As the nation prepares for the anticipated Saba Saba Day protests on Monday, July 7, several learning institutions across Nairobi and its environs have announced precautionary closures, advising students to remain at home due to security concerns.
At least 20 schools, primarily located along high-risk routes like Thika Road, have formally communicated to parents urging them not to send their children to school. The move follows rising tension surrounding the planned protests commemorating the historic 1990 Saba Saba demonstrations that called for multiparty democracy in Kenya.
SCHOOLS PRIORITIZE SAFETY, SHIFT TO REMOTE LEARNING
In circulars seen by Kenyans.co.ke, schools assured parents that learning would continue through take-home academic packages, allowing students to stay on track as they prepare for End of Term exams.
“To ensure that learning continues uninterrupted, our teachers will provide academic work aligned to the regular timetable,” one private school announced in a notice to parents.
Another school noted:
“This temporary closure is purely precautionary, stemming from the uncertainty and possible unrest anticipated on Saba Saba Day. We are prioritizing the well-being of our learners.”
THIKA ROAD AMONG AREAS OF CONCERN
The decision to close schools has been particularly common among institutions that operate along Thika Superhighway, which was among the epicenters of unrest during the June 25 protests.
That day, protesters blocked sections of the road with bonfires and rocks, causing major traffic disruptions and forcing schools to release students early.
“We weren’t officially told to close, but after what happened last time, I might just keep my child at home on Monday,” one Nairobi parent told Kenyans.co.ke.
GOVERNMENT INSISTS JULY 7 IS A NORMAL WORKDAY
Despite public concern, the government has not declared July 7 a public holiday. Speaking in Embu County on Sunday, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku made it clear that all public servants are expected to report to work.
“The government will take disciplinary action against civil servants who fail to show up for duty,” Ruku warned during a church service attended by President William Ruto.
CALLS FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACE
As pressure mounts, the Association of County Students Associations Presidents – Kenya (ACSAPK) has urged President Ruto to engage with the youth through a national dialogue platform, aiming to address the root causes of the current dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, leaders and civil society groups have called for calm during the commemorations, urging police to exercise restraint and demonstrators to conduct peaceful protests.
“This day holds historical significance. Let’s not allow it to descend into chaos,” said a student leader from Nairobi.
A REFLECTION OF HISTORY AND PRESENT CHALLENGES
Saba Saba Day, observed annually on July 7, marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s democratic journey—when citizens defied a repressive regime to demand free elections and multiparty politics.
Today, the spirit of resistance lives on, especially among Kenya’s Generation Z, who have taken to the streets in recent months to protest rising taxes, youth unemployment, and perceived government excesses.
As the country braces for Monday’s events, the closure of schools signals a shared hope among stakeholders—for peace, safety, and constructive national dialogue.
