At least 11 people have been killed and more than 560 arrested during widespread anti-government protests across Kenya, as citizens commemorated the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba uprising that sparked the country’s push toward multiparty democracy.
Kenya’s police confirmed that officers opened fire during Monday’s demonstrations, with 52 officers and 11 civilians reported injured. Earlier, medics at the Eagle Nursing Home on the outskirts of Nairobi told the BBC that two bodies with gunshot wounds had been brought in. Crowds gathered outside the hospital demanding access to the remains.
Protesters took to the streets in defiance of heavy security measures, with authorities blocking major roads leading into central Nairobi and sealing off routes to key government buildings, such as the State House and Parliament, with razor wire. Businesses shut down and schools advised students to stay home.
The protests—spearheaded by Kenya’s “Gen-Z” youth—called for better governance, accountability, and an end to police brutality. Demonstrations spread to at least 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, with clashes reported in cities and towns such as Meru, Eldoret, Ol Kalou, and Kamukunji.
In Meru, a shopping complex was set ablaze, while in Ol Kalou, one protester was killed by police gunfire and another injured. In Kamukunji, where the original 1990 Saba Saba protests were staged, demonstrators lit fires and clashed with police who responded with tear gas and water cannons.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRC) accused police of excessive force, claiming they operated in plain clothes, used unmarked vehicles, and collaborated with armed gangs to target protesters. It also reported cases of abductions and widespread injuries.
A planned appearance by opposition figure and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was cancelled due to roadblocks, though he condemned the police response. “This is a rogue police force that shoots people with impunity,” Odinga said, calling for national dialogue on police reform.
The KHRC headquarters in Nairobi was attacked on Sunday by a gang of about 25 armed individuals who disrupted a women-led press conference against state violence. The attackers reportedly stole laptops, phones, and valuables from journalists present.
Long-distance commuters were stranded as buses were halted far from the city centre. In Kabete, approximately 13 km outside Nairobi, passengers unable to afford alternative transportation waited for hours. “We started traveling at 8:30 pm last night… We want the government to engage in dialogue with Gen Z so all this can come to an end,” one bus driver told the BBC.
Monday’s protests follow last month’s deadly demonstrations on June 25, during which at least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed.
Saba Saba—meaning “seven-seven” in Swahili—marks the July 7, 1990 protests that played a pivotal role in ending one-party rule in Kenya. Then-President Daniel arap Moi’s regime responded with a brutal crackdown that left at least 20 people dead.
Over the years, the day has come to symbolise civil resistance and the pursuit of democratic freedoms. This year’s protests reflect a renewed generational push for justice and reform in the face of increasing economic and social grievances.
