Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has urged Kenyans and the police to uphold the law and respect human rights during demonstrations, calling for a balanced approach as the country continues to reel from recent civil unrest.
Speaking during an official tour of the United Nations Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi, ahead of the 20th Ordinary Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN-20), Mudavadi addressed the nation’s tense political and social climate.
“During demonstrations, police protect, not harm. Citizens, stand up when you have reason to do so, but respect the rights of others. Let us all obey the law. That is the right thing to do,” he said in a video statement posted on his X on July 13, 2025.
His remarks come against the backdrop of deadly anti-tax protests that rocked the country in recent weeks, leaving people dead. The demonstrations have triggered national and international concern over police accountability and the right to peaceful assembly.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has confirmed that the death toll from the Saba Saba demonstrations has risen to 38, with at least 130 more people injured across the country.
In a press statement released Friday evening, July 11, 2025, the Commission condemned the excessive use of force and called on the government to urgently address the mounting human rights violations.
According to KNCHR, the fatalities span several counties, with Kiambu recording the highest number at eight deaths, followed by Nairobi and Kajiado with six each.
“The Commission observes that the death toll has now risen to thirty-eight (38) people as of 1800 hrs today,” KNCHR stated. At least one hundred and thirty (130) people are still nursing injuries at home and in various health facilities across the country,” the statement read.
The Commission reported that 14 out of the 15 postmortems conducted so far revealed that victims died from gunshot wounds, raising serious questions about the conduct of security forces during the protests.
Article 37 of Kenya’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to protest peacefully, but the recent events have reignited debates on the balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding fundamental freedoms.
The economic toll of the unrest has also become apparent, with local businesses and infrastructure affected. Mudavadi cited the Meru Cooperative Society as an example of “collateral damage,” pointing to its ongoing leadership wrangles over prime assets like Nairobi’s Imenti House—disputes now complicated by the broader instability.
While AMCEN-20 focuses primarily on environmental issues, Mudavadi acknowledged the link between environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social stability. Civil unrest, he warned, can derail not only national unity but also progress on environmental and developmental goals.
As Kenya prepares to host key stakeholders from across the continent, Mudavadi’s message calls for national introspection. His appeal to both citizens and security forces aims to de-escalate tensions, restore public trust, and reinforce Kenya’s commitment to constitutional values.
