Tensions flared in Nairobi on Monday as Kenyan police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests. The Gen Z-led movement, demanding accountability, good governance, and an end to police brutality, faced heavy resistance from authorities who sealed off central parts of the capital.
Clashes Across the Capital
Security forces blocked all major roads leading into central Nairobi from early morning. Businesses remained closed, and the streets were largely deserted. In areas like Thika Road, Kitengela, and Kamukunji — near the original 1990 protest site — demonstrators lit fires and attempted to breach police barricades. Officers responded with tear gas and water cannons.
“We started travelling at 8:30pm last night… We want the government to engage in dialogue with Gen Zs,” said Humphrey Gumbishi, a bus driver stranded 13km from town.
Hundreds of commuters and long-distance travelers were left stranded at roadblocks, with some stuck overnight. Buses parked in places like Kabete due to restricted access to the city center.
Symbolic Date, Real Demands
Saba Saba, meaning “Seven Seven” in Kiswahili, commemorates the July 7, 1990 protests that forced Kenya’s shift to multiparty democracy. On Monday, that legacy was carried forward by a new generation—young Kenyans rallying against state oppression and calling for reform.
The demonstrations come just weeks after 19 protesters were killed and hundreds of businesses destroyed during nationwide protests on June 25. Protesters accuse the police of colluding with armed gangs, referred to as “goons,” who infiltrate peaceful protests to provoke violence. Police deny the claims.
Attack on Human Rights NGO Raises Alarm
On Sunday, a gang of motorbike-riding attackers stormed the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices in Nairobi. The KHRC had been hosting a women-led press conference ahead of the protest. According to spokesman Ernest Cornel, the attackers shouted “There will be no protest today” as they looted electronics and personal belongings from journalists.
“They were carrying stones and clubs… they stole laptops and phones,” Cornel said in an interview.
A Legacy of Resistance
The original Saba Saba protests under President Daniel arap Moi’s one-party rule were met with a violent crackdown that left at least 20 people dead. The date has since become a symbol of civic resistance and the continued push for democratic rights in Kenya.
This year’s version underscores ongoing discontent with government accountability, youth unemployment, and widespread distrust in police conduct. Many schools advised students to stay home as roads remained blocked well into mid-mo
Kenya’s youth have reignited the spirit of Saba Saba, demanding a better future and justice for lives lost. But with increased police crackdowns, NGO attacks, and road closures, the road to reform appears as blocked as Nairobi’s streets—at least for now.
