NAIROBI, Kenya – At least 10 minors are among scores of protestors still detained in remand more than 10 days after the July 7 Saba Saba demonstrations, sparking outrage from rights groups and elected leaders.
In a post on X, Kirinyaga Woman Representative, Njeri Maina, revealed that the minors — all aged 17 and below — are being held in violation of legal safeguards protecting children in conflict with the law.
“We’ve mapped around 10 minors… detained in remand for over 10 days,” she wrote. “Despite the DPP being well aware of the procedure of processing minors, they approve charges against them nevertheless, because, what better does the government have to do than terrorize minors? Crass! Diabolically crass!”
We’ve mapped around 10 minors, 17 & below, who have been detained in remand for over 10 days.Despite the DPP being well aware of the procedure of processing minors, they approve charges against them nevertheless, because, what better does the government have to do than
The detentions come in the wake of the deadly Saba Saba protests, which saw at least 38 people killed across 20 counties and over 500 injured, according to the Police Reforms Working Group.
The protests, originally meant to mark a historic day of democratic resistance, were met with what civil society groups have described as disproportionate and unlawful force by police.
Among those killed were four women and two children, with the highest fatalities recorded in Kiambu and Nairobi counties. The unrest also caused economic losses estimated at KSh1.1 billion.
The minors are reportedly among more than 500 individuals facing charges in various courts countrywide.
The cases range from serious offences such as robbery with violence, murder, and terrorism, to unlawful assembly.
In Kirinyaga County, where five people are facing charges, the woman representative called on the judiciary and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to adhere to child protection protocols and release the detained minors.
“This isn’t just a legal failure. It’s a moral one,” she said.
The Police Reforms Working Group has condemned the ongoing detentions and what it describes as a campaign of state intimidation and impunity.
In a statement released last week, the coalition of civil society organizations documented prolonged detentions, delays in arraignment, and charges that appear excessive or politically motivated.
In Ngong, Human Rights Defenders recorded 31 arrests during the Saba Saba protests, noting that 32 individuals were presented in court after the constitutionally mandated 24-hour period.
Several were charged with terrorism and destruction of property, offences critics argue are meant to suppress dissent.
Pressure is mounting on the government to conduct independent investigations into police conduct and to ensure that all detainees — especially minors — are treated in accordance with the law.
