NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ROCK KENYA SABA SABA ANNIVERSARY IGNITES FRESH UNREST

Kenya is once again gripped by unrest as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the country on Monday to mark the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, demanding government accountability, lower living costs, and justice for victims of police brutality.
From Nairobi to Nakuru, Embu to Nyeri, protesters — mostly youth and civil rights activists — defied heavy police deployment to express their frustration with what they called “a government that has failed its people.” The protests, largely organized online, were sparked by deepening economic woes, allegations of state repression, and the controversial death of teacher-blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month.
In the capital Nairobi, demonstrators clashed with riot police who had sealed off key roads and deployed tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. Razor wire barricades lined major entry points into the central business district. At least one protester was seen bleeding from a gunshot wound, with several others reported injured.
“We cannot be silenced anymore,” shouted a protester in downtown Nairobi. “We’re not just marching for Ojwang — we’re marching for every Kenyan who can’t afford food or school fees.”
The protests come in the wake of nationwide unrest in June following Ojwang’s death, which an independent postmortem attributed to blunt force trauma. The incident sparked outrage and reignited calls for police reform.
Since then, public anger has intensified. A street vendor was reportedly shot during a June 17 protest, and at least 16 people were killed during protests on June 25. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) says investigations into police conduct are underway, but activists accuse the state of inaction.
President William Ruto’s administration is under pressure, with critics accusing it of failing to address spiraling inflation, rising taxes, and deteriorating freedoms. Ruto, once celebrated as a champion of the “hustler” movement, now faces growing discontent, especially among the youth.
Meanwhile, the country’s private sector has taken a hit. The Stanbic Bank Kenya Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to a 12-month low in June, reflecting reduced business activity and consumer spending.
“We are witnessing a moment of reckoning,” said political analyst Prof. Wanjiru Gichuhi. “The people are demanding not just reforms but a new direction for the country.”
Several counties reported school and business closures on Monday, with many Kenyans choosing to stay home amid fear of violence. Activists have vowed to continue their demonstrations until their demands are met, including police accountability, economic relief, and political reforms.