As anxiety rocks the country over a possible bloody Saba Saba commemoration slated for Monday, July 7th, tension is palpable among Athi-river residents, with a section of locals opposing public gatherings to mark the day.

Speaking shortly after attending a meeting in the Inter-County area in Athi-river, residents decried that the recent anti-government protests have been infiltrated by politically instigated goons.

They said, besides the loss of lives, the chaotic protests witnessed in the country recently have left a trail of massive destruction and looting, threatening national security.

While acknowledging that the 1990 calendar event is a key reminder of the country's multi-party democracy and good governance, they say the current agitation mood is overshadowed by bitterness.

This comes amid a warning by the National Police Service that those intending to participate in Saba Saba must notify security agencies.

The residents instead urge Kenyans to express their dissatisfaction peacefully. They call on the government to fulfil its pledges, among them a promise to residents of Mavoko to legally settle them on disputed parcels of land.

''Recently we witnessed very bad incidents that occurred during the Gen-Z commemoration in the country, the burning of governments institution such as police stations and other offices were un-called for, its a very bad picture portraying our country, this shows our country is not headed to the right direction'' said Daniel Kimweli, a resident.

In his recent tour to the Ukambani region, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki promised squatters that the government will consider their plea to legally settle them in three expansive parcels of land.

Among pleas by the squatters was a review of prices for the land on sale by a local bank (KCB) and cement firm (East Africa Portland Cement ), and insecurity said to be fueled by rogue cartels.

Residents say despite entering an agreement by the land owners to pay for the land in instalments, known cartels have turned life in the two settlements a nightmare.

The squatters claim the rogue individuals known to them are harassing them amid threats of forceful eviction.

Instead of us going to the streets to pressure the government, we have decided to seek peace by urging President William Ruto and his government to intervene in land matters in this area. We have cried enough,'' said Boniface Mutinda. 

Residents, the historic demolitions carried out in Mavoko two years ago remain a bitter pill that rogue cartels are taking advantage of, with brokers said to have taken the region by storm.

Land disputes are rampant in Mavoko owing to the expansive undeveloped chunks of land, infiltration of brokers and a huge number of squatters.