Kenyan police fired tear gas and deployed water cannon on Monday to disperse protesters marking the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba pro-democracy movement, amid growing public anger over corruption, police brutality, and the alleged abductions of government critics.
The protests, held on July 7 to commemorate the 1990 pro-democracy rally, have taken on renewed urgency in recent years particularly among the youth amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis and rising concerns over state repression.
In the capital Nairobi, security forces confronted demonstrators just hours after barricading key roads leading into the city, including those near Parliament, State House, and other major government buildings. Protesters were met with volleys of tear gas and jets of water as they attempted to gather near central Nairobi.
The unrest comes as public outrage continues to build over recent incidents of police violence, including the death of a teacher in police custody and the fatal shooting of an unarmed street vendor. These events have added fuel to protests that began last year in response to a controversial finance bill that proposed significant tax hikes. Although the government withdrew the bill in June 2024 following mass demonstrations, anger remains high.
In several towns across Kenya, including Kisumu, Mombasa, and Eldoret, protesters marched to honor Saba Saba while calling for justice and greater accountability. Demonstrations were largely peaceful in the early hours but turned chaotic as police began dispersing crowds.
Tensions escalated further after the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) were stormed by unknown assailants, described by the organization as “hired goons sent by the state to silence dissent.” In a statement issued Sunday night, KHRC said the group violently disrupted a press briefing where mothers of missing protesters were calling for an end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
CNN has reportedly contacted Kenyan authorities for comment on the incident.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a statement on Sunday, said security agencies were “on high alert” and vowed to deal “decisively” with any individuals seeking to infiltrate peaceful protests and cause disorder.
Murkomen previously described last month’s wave of demonstrations as “terrorism disguised as dissent,” a remark that drew condemnation from civil society groups and further fueled anti-government sentiment.
As protests continue across the country, observers warn that without genuine dialogue and reform, Kenya risks sliding into deeper political instability.
Written By Ian Maleve
