Kenya rocked by protests

 

Kenya was engulfed in widespread anti-government protests on July 7, coinciding with Saba Saba Day, which commemorates the 1990 pro-democracy movement. Clashes between protesters and security forces erupted across at least 17 of the country’s 47 counties, including Nairobi, Eldoret, Nyeri, Embu, and Nakuru. The demonstrations were sparked by anger over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody, and reflected broader grievances around corruption, police brutality, economic hardship, and demands for the resignation of President William Rutoreuters.com+15reuters.com+15theguardian.com+15.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, ten people were killed and 29 injured nationwide, with additional sources reporting up to 11 fatalities and dozens more wounded, including 52 police officersdawn.com+2reuters.com+2reuters.com+2. In Nairobi’s Kangemi suburb, Reuters footage showed police opening fire, leaving at least one protester dead and others gravely injured; tear gas and water cannons were also widely usedreuters.com+1dawn.com+1.

Security forces deployed unmarked vehicles and operatives amid the protests, raising accusations that criminal gangs may have been operating alongside plainclothes police. Major roads were blocked, many schools and malls were shut down, and a citywide lockdown was imposed in Nairobi to contain the unresttheguardian.com+13reuters.com+13dawn.com+13. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen described the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent” and reiterated a “shoot on sight” directive issued last month toward those near police stationshrw.org+5reuters.com+5politico.com+5.

These protests marked the 35th anniversary of the original Saba Saba movement, but this year’s unrest has been characterized as a “Gen Z Saba Saba,” illustrating growing youth-led frustration. The death of Ojwang, who was arrested on suspicion of defaming a senior police officer on social media and allegedly suffered fatal injuries while detained, became a rallying cry for demonstratorsen.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6apnews.com+6.

The disturbances in June alone saw at least 20 fatalities and over 500 injuries during nationwide protests that extended back to early June, indicating a persistent cycle of unrest. Reports by Stanbic Bank Kenya noted that private sector activity fell to its lowest monthly level in a year, largely due to the disruptions caused by these protestsaa.com.tr+14reuters.com+14reddit.com+14.

Pressure is mounting from human rights groups, opposition parties, and ordinary citizens demanding police accountability, judicial transparency, and President Ruto’s resignation. As Kenya grapples with escalating violence, economic strain, and a deepening generational rift, the nation faces a critical moment in its democratic trajectory.