Kenyan Police Disperse Protesters with Tear Gas on 35th Anniversary of Pro-Democracy Movement

Nairobi, July 7 — Kenyan security forces used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in central Nairobi on Monday as citizens gathered to mark the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba movement, a pivotal moment in the country's struggle for multi-party democracy.

The annual "Saba Saba" (Seven Seven) protest commemorates July 7, 1990, when pro-democracy activists launched a mass mobilization against the autocratic regime of then-President Daniel Arap Moi, demanding political pluralism and reform. The day has since become a symbol of civil resistance and democratic aspiration.

This year’s protests carried added urgency amid public outrage over issues ranging from tax hikes and corruption to police brutality and enforced disappearances of government critics. The demonstrations were part of a broader youth-led movement that has gripped Kenya since June 2024, following controversial fiscal policies introduced by the government.

A Reuters correspondent witnessed chaotic scenes as police engaged demonstrators along major thoroughfares in Nairobi. Hundreds of protesters, some blowing whistles and waving banners, were met with aggressive crowd control tactics by authorities.

Security forces blocked major access roads into the capital, resulting in widespread disruption. Public schools and at least one shopping centre were shuttered in anticipation of unrest, leaving large swathes of the city eerily quiet except for the demonstrators who navigated roadblocks on foot.

"We are not ready to go back home — who will fight for our rights then? We will be here till evening," said Francis Waswa, a construction worker participating in the march.

Government Response and Tensions with Civil Society

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who previously described the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent”, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance approach toward what he termed violent agitators.

“Our security agencies are on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property,” Murkomen wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

In a disturbing incident ahead of the protests, unknown assailants stormed the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) office, disrupting a planned press briefing and assaulting at least one board member, according to the organization’s spokesperson Ernest Cornel. Police officials have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident.

Growing Public Outcry Over Police Violence

The demonstrations were further fueled by the controversial death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, while in police custody last month. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny of police conduct.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a government-funded body, at least 19 people died during protests on June 25. Prosecutors have since filed murder charges against six individuals, including three police officers, in connection with Ojwang’s death. All six have pleaded not guilty.

As Kenya continues to grapple with rising public dissatisfaction, the Saba Saba commemorations have evolved beyond historical remembrance — they now serve as a platform for a new generation of citizens demanding accountability, transparency, and reform.