Wote Town was brought to a standstill on Monday morning as residents took to the streets in support of the nationwide Saba Saba protests, blocking key roads and disrupting normal activities.
Protesters barricaded major entry points into the town with stones, burning tyres, and wooden logs, paralyzing transport in and out of the Makueni County headquarters.
Wote Town, the administrative hub of Makueni County, is fast cementing its status as the heartbeat of resistance in Eastern Kenya. Once a quiet town known for its agricultural vibrancy and devolved governance success, Wote is now increasingly becoming the rallying ground for civil unrest
The demonstrations come amid growing discontent with the national government, with citizens demanding action on youth unemployment, police brutality, and the high cost of living.
Other towns however experienced relative calm such as Makindu where normal business was ongoing.
Security forces were deployed to monitor the situation.
The Saba Saba movement, rooted in Kenya’s fight for multiparty democracy, has found new life in 2025, fueled by a digitally mobilized youth population demanding systemic reforms and a more responsive government.
Authorities have urged calm, as similar protests erupt across major towns nationwide.
