Police presence in Mombasa ahead of Saba Saba protests /CHARLES MGHENYI

A heavy police deployment is being witnessed in Mombasa ahead of the planned Saba Saba Day demonstrations scheduled for today, July 7.

Most shops in the central business district remained closed on Monday morning.

Anti-riot police officers were seen assembling at the Central Police Station before being deployed to various parts of the town, particularly areas identified as potential flashpoints.

Security officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, were also spotted around the Mapembeni area along Moi Avenue, a common assembly point for demonstrators.

Mombasa Mall in the Mwembe Tayari area was also guarded by heavily armed anti-riot officers.

Police in Mombasa have rejected the planned protest, citing security concerns.

Central Police Station OCS Sylvester Wambua stated the protest had been “declined and cancelled.”

“The intelligence gathered so far indicates that goons with criminal intentions plan to hijack the demonstration and cause anarchy, mayhem, and looting,” said Wambua.

“In the interest of peace and stability in this coastal tourist town, we find it inadvisable to allow the procession to proceed,” he added.

On Saturday, police in Mombasa detained and interrogated two activists, Bradley Ouna and Evans Momanyo, for over six hours over allegations of organising Monday’s protest.

The two, who are among the signatories of a formal protest notification to police, strongly denied any plans to incite violence.