NAIROBI, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police arrested dozens of protesters in the capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday during demonstrations marking the 36th anniversary of "Saba Saba" (July 7) Day in 1990, when people called for multi-party reforms.
Heavy security measures led to largely subdued protests across the capital, neighboring towns, and the coastal city of Mombasa. Police set up major roadblocks to prevent demonstrators from entering Nairobi's city center.
The blockades effectively paralyzed activity in Nairobi's central business district, forcing most businesses to remain closed and many public transport operators to stay off the roads, severely disrupting commuting.
Activists called for nationwide protests to mark the Saba Saba movement, commemorating the 1990 demonstrations in which several people were killed during the struggle for multi-party reforms.
The 1990 demonstrations paved the way for constitutional changes that legalized the multi-party regime in Kenya.
Commemorative events on Tuesday included marches and memorial gatherings nationwide.
In Nairobi, police intercepted and arrested activists marching toward the Office of the President before they reached the cordoned-off Parliament area.
Demonstrations in Mombasa proceeded peacefully, with police officers escorting protesters through the city center.
The National Police Service announced on Monday that it would establish security checkpoints to prevent violence during the Saba Saba commemorations.
Citing previous commemorations that resulted in violence and disrupted business activities, police said enhanced checkpoints would be deployed on major roads across Nairobi to regulate both pedestrian and vehicular movement.
"Members of the public are urged to obey and cooperate with the National Police Service to ensure that peace and order prevail. Any unlawful acts shall be met with the full force of the law," the National Police Service said. ■
