Intel Brief II: Protests Resurface in Kenya on Historic Saba Saba Anniversary
- gregorio46
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 9
Date: 08/07/2025 (13:00 GMT+2)
Where?
Kenya; Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kakamega and many more. The protests were reported in 17 of 47 counties.
What happened?
On 07/07/2025, Kenyans took to the streets in protest to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba — meaning "7/7" in Swahili — demonstrations of 07/07/1990, which sparked Kenya’s movement toward multiparty democracy under the authoritarian rule of President Daniel arap Moi.
In anticipation of the protests, the Kenyan police shut down major roads across the capital, Nairobi, and established checkpoints throughout the city and surrounding areas in the early hours of the day. Roads leading to key government sites — including the president's official residence, State House, and the Kenyan parliament — were sealed off with razor wire barricades. However, clashes still broke out in parts of Nairobi as demonstrators lit fires and attempted to breach police cordons. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannons. Clashes also broke out in different parts of the country.
Reports indicate that police used excessive force, including opening fire on demonstrators. At least 11 people were killed during yesterday’s protests, with the death toll potentially rising. More than 550 others have been arrested.
Earlier, on 06/07/2025, an armed gang attacked Kenya’s Human Rights Commission, just as it hosted a press conference organized by Kenya’s women's collective calling for an end to arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings. This attack was recorded on video.
All of this is unfolding amid heightened tensions in Kenya. On 25/06/2025, similar protests broke out following national outrage over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, an incident that amplified public anger over police brutality, corruption, and growing authoritarianism under President Ruto. Led largely by young Kenyans, the Gen Z-protests reflect widespread frustration with systemic abuse, economic struggles, and fears about the erosion of Kenyan democracy. At least 19 people died that day.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Saba Saba protests in Kenya are not an isolated phenomenon but rather a manifestation of deeper, long-standing frustrations related to police brutality, economic inequality, corruption, and a perceived erosion of democratic freedoms. While the current wave of protests appears to have subsided for now, this calm is likely temporary. Previous protests erupted and spread quickly, and only needed a specific 'trigger'.
These recent events highlight the increasing mistrust between citizens in Kenya and the state. Unless the government takes steps to address the root causes of discontent, Kenya risks entering a cycle of recurring unrest and social fragmentation. Sustainable peace and stability will depend not on silencing dissent, but on solving the issues that fuel it.
This is a small version of a more elaborate report.
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