As Kenya prepares to mark Saba Saba on Monday, July 7, 2025, the weight of history rests heavily on the nation’s conscience. What began in 1990 as a courageous demand for multiparty democracy has become a symbol of resistance, remembrance, and reclaiming public voice.
Today, as a new generation—especially the youth and Gen Z—rises to demand justice, accountability, and a more inclusive future, the lessons of Saba Saba must not be lost in the fog of violence or political opportunism.
This year’s protests come at a time of deep public frustration, compounded by economic hardship, allegations of corruption, and disturbing scenes of police brutality during recent demonstrations.
The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya. It is not a privilege. It is a protected right. Therefore, any use of excessive force by the police not only undermines the very foundation of our democratic fabric but also reopens wounds from a dark past many fought hard to leave behind.
To National Police Service
The people on the streets are not your enemies. They are your fellow citizens—your siblings, your children, your neighbours. When you don riot gear and wield tear gas canisters, remember: every face in the crowd is someone’s loved one. Professionalism and restraint should not be selective—they must be standard. Uphold the law. Protect life. Respect dignity. Anything less is betrayal.
Brutality does not restore order. It inflames tension. It erodes trust. It fuels rage. And most tragically, it turns peaceful protests into national trauma. The police must be guardians of peace, not agents of provocation.
To political class
Saba Saba is not your stage. It is not your campaign rally. It is not your microphone. Resist the temptation to hijack the genuine cries of a struggling generation. The youth are not mobilising for you—they are mobilising despite you. They are demanding a future free from the chains your actions have fastened around their dreams.
Stay away if your presence only adds noise. Let this day belong to the people. Listen, don’t lecture. Support, don’t exploit. Show humility, not hunger for headlines.
To protesters
Stay peaceful. Stay united. Stay vigilant. Do not give those who fear your voice a reason to criminalise it. Your message is powerful because it is rooted in justice, not chaos.
Let the nation see that the youth of this country are not just angry—they are organised, informed, and determined. March with purpose. Chant with clarity. And above all, protect each other.
Saba Saba is more than a date. It is a mirror. It asks us: who are we as a country? Do we still believe in freedom? Do we still protect the right to dissent? Are we still a nation where power is answerable to the people?
Let Monday be remembered not for bloodshed, but for the brilliance of a people who demanded change without breaking their country. Let history record that the state responded with reason, not repression. And let the world see that Kenya still knows how to listen when her children speak.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are the writer’s. They do not necessarily reflect the views of K24 Digital or Mediamax Network Limited.
