JOINT STATEMENT: Update on Saba Saba Anniversary Protests

NAIROBI, Monday, July 7, 2025: Saba Saba Day symbolises our nation’s enduring struggle for democracy, civil liberties and political reform. On 7 July 1990, Kenyans across six towns took to the streets to demand free elections and an end to the authoritarian practices of the one-party state. Police killed 20, arrested and charged 1,056 people.

Today, Kenyans took to the streets in twenty out of 47 counties. They include Nairobi, Kajiado, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisii, Embu, Kisumu, Kiambu, Meru, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Vihiga, Narok, Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Laikipia, and Kakamega.

The Law Society of Kenya and Police Reforms Working Group regrets receiving the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights’ preliminary report confirming at least nine deaths by gunshot wounds by 6:30 p.m. Due to the widespread nature of today’s protests, final figures on arrests and injuries will take time to verify and compile.

Under Article 37 of the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and the Public Order Act, the Government of Kenya and the National Police Service have five core obligations. They include respecting, facilitating, protecting and not unjustifiably limiting the right to peaceful assembly, demonstration, picketing, and petition.

Facilitation: The freedom of movement, expression and assembly was denied today. One of the most acute bans since COVID-19 was imposed across several business districts across Nairobi and several towns. People travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi were particularly inconvenienced. Seven major routes into Nairobi were blocked for most of the day. Today’s actions contradicted earlier assurances by Interior and Public Service Cabinet Secretaries, who had pledged to facilitate protests and warned civil servants against absenteeism.

Clear public communication and engagement: There was no evidence of the police engaging with protest organizers in advance to agree on routes, timing, and safety measures. In the case of Mombasa, the police rejected a duly served notification by a protest organiser within the three days as required by law.

Officers must be identified: Heavily armed police with military grade weapons were deployed in violation of court orders, using masks and unmarked vehicles to conceal their identities. It is particularly worrying that these squads and their subarus were seen in areas like Ngong Town, Kajiado, where the death toll was highest (3).

Proportionality: The use of lethal and less-lethal force was observed throughout several affected counties. We noted several arbitrary arrests of boda boda riders, the use of water cannons particularly in Kitengela and Kikuyu and tear gas in Doonholm, Nairobi and the deployment of Kenya Defence Force Officers in Kayole, Naivasha.

Protest Protection and Public Safety: Tragically, once again, nine families will be receiving the news of the deaths of their loved ones and others will be receiving others with injuries. Alarmingly, the pattern of militia gangs violently attacking protesters, bystanders, businesspeople and businesses was not prevented. Restrictions on medical personnel and the containment of protesters in densely populated Nairobi suburbs made emergency healthcare inaccessible for many.

FIDA-Kenya Media Contact: Mark Owuor – owuorm@fidakenya.org

Law Society of Kenya and Police Reforms Working Group -Kenya Coalition Members

This statement is signed by the Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group, an alliance of national and grassroots organizations committed to professional, accountable, and human rights-compliant policing. They include:  Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Katiba Institute, Defenders Coalition, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ) and Peace Brigades International Kenya (PBI Kenya).