Yesterday’s Saba Day was meant to honor a legacy of peaceful resistance and democratic demand. Instead, it became one of Kenya’s darkest days in recent memory. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 10 people lost their lives, 29 were injured, 37 arrested, and 2 abducted as protests broke out across 17 counties. The demonstrations, largely youth-led, had called for action on the rising cost of living, unemployment, and governance reform. Instead of change, many encountered bullets, teargas, and grief.
The Ground Reality: Barricades, Fear, and Silence
By dawn, much of Nairobi had come to a standstill. Roads leading into the Central Business District including Thika Road, Waiyaki Way, and Mombasa Road were heavily barricaded by police. In places like Roysambu, Allsops, and Pangani, Jogoo road and Kiambu Road, residents found themselves trapped between fear and frustration. Public transport was halted. Businesses stayed shut. Even those trying to report to work found themselves stranded or turned back.
The Numbers Behind the Tragedy
By last evening, KNCHR had reported the following:
10 deaths
29 injuries
37 arrests
2 abductions
Police barricades and violent crackdowns were reported in: Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Embu. Several of the deceased were reportedly shot while either participating in or observing the protests and some reports suggest that others were in the comfort of their home, with other areas like Juja reporting sexual assault in their homes.
In one harrowing image now circulating widely on social media, a young man’s body lies lifeless in the middle of an empty street—a chilling symbol of how swiftly a peaceful demonstration can turn fatal.
When Protest Is Silenced by Force
Saba Saba has always been more than a date on the calendar. It represents Kenya’s long walk to democracy—sparked by the July 7, 1990 protests that helped usher in multiparty politics. Today’s protestors hoped to channel that same energy, calling for justice, reform, and economic dignity. But their voices were met with force.
Security officers deployed across protest zones responded with rubber bullets, live ammunition, and teargas. In some areas, peaceful marchers were chased, beaten, or arrested. The presence of goons and looters further complicated the day, allowing the original message to be lost in the noise.
A Nation Mourns, But Also Reflects
The pain of this day will linger, especially for families now left with empty chairs at the table. For the youth who organized these protests, the violence serves as a bitter reminder of the shrinking space for civic expression.
While civil society and human rights groups have condemned the brutality, the government has maintained its position that the measures were necessary to preserve order. Yet, across the country, Kenyans are asking: At what cost?
The protests also reignited broader conversations on:
1. The right to peacefully assemble
2. The role of security forces during demonstrations
3. Kenya’s socio-economic struggles, particularly among the youth
What Happens Now?
As night falls on a wounded nation, one thing is clear: the anger that fueled today’s marches has not been extinguished. Civil rights groups are demanding independent investigations into the killings. Others are calling for the immediate release of those arrested.
But whether the government will respond with reforms or repeat history with silence and suppression remains to be seen.
The protests may have ended, but the cry for dignity and justice is far from over.
🕊️ In memory of those who lost their lives on Saba Saba 2025 may their voices continue to echo in our collective conscience.