School operations in major towns across Kenya were severely disrupted on Monday, July 7, as fears over safety during the Saba Saba protests forced institutions to either close or operate at minimal capacity.

Roads leading to schools were blocked by police, leaving teachers and learners stranded while many others chose to stay home.

A spot check in Nairobi revealed deserted school compounds, with locked classrooms and empty playgrounds.

At Unity Comprehensive School in Umoja, students who had reported early in the morning were quickly sent back home.

“They have reported to school but they were sent back home for fear of insecurity,” said Anne Mutheu, a concerned parent who had accompanied her child.

Teachers who attempted to report for duty were met with significant transport challenges, while some were unable to access public transport, others who braved the journey on foot found schools deserted.

“There is no way we can compromise the security of learners at the expense of learning. It is safer to be at home with their parents than risking them on the roads amid the protests,” said one teacher, who requested anonymity.

A principal of a public day school in Nairobi described the morning ordeal of  attempting to reach school but being forced to turn back.

“I left home early in the morning to beat the protest time only to find that Thika Road was impassable. I had to reverse back home,” he said.

Several private and public institutions across Nairobi, Kiambu, and other towns issued official notices to parents, calling off in-person learning and advising that school would resume on Tuesday, July 8.

Consolata School assured parents that learning would continue remotely.

“To ensure that learning continues uninterrupted, our teachers will prepare adequate academic work for your child, aligned to their regular timetable. This work is aimed at reinforcing key concepts and helping the students prepare for the upcoming End of Term Examinations,” read the school’s statement.

Premier Academy also issued a closure notice, stating: “This closure is due to the prevailing uncertainties surrounding the day, particularly with respect to safety concerns. It is purely a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone.”

Learning was also disrupted at Moi Avenue Primary School as teachers and learners were forced to go back home early morning.

Other institutions that issued similar advisories included Thika Road Christian School, Paddington School, Laiser Hill Academy, and St. Jude Early School. RJ School communicated directly to parents:

“Dear Parent/Guardian, as a precaution due to anticipated protests, the school will remain closed for day scholars on Monday, 7th July 2025, to avoid transport disruptions and ensure the safety of our learners and staff. Boarders will remain in school as usual.”

The ripple effect of the day's disruption also extended to the Kenya Music Festival, Rift Valley region, which had been scheduled to begin on Monday. Organisers were forced to postpone the event to Tuesday due to logistical and safety concerns.