Nairobi, July 7 -- Heavy police deployments and sweeping road closures across major towns disrupted transport, shut businesses and kept workers away from offices yesterday as security agencies moved to contain planned Saba Saba Day demonstrations on Tuesday.

The biggest disruption was recorded in the capital, Nairobi, where police sealed off key roads into the central business district, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and businesses operating below normal capacity.

The security operation once again exposed the growing economic cost of protest days, with transport, retail trade, banking and informal businesses bearing the heaviest losses from restricted movement.

Police mounted roadblocks on major highways leading into the capit...