NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyans have been urged to participate in the Saba Saba March scheduled for July 7, 2026, to honour victims of alleged killings and enforced disappearances while calling for accountability through peaceful and lawful demonstrations.
The appeal was made by the Social Justice Centre Working Group (SJCWG), which said the nationwide mobilisation seeks to remember those who have lost their lives or remain missing and to push for independent, transparent investigations into the reported incidents.
According to the organisation, many families across the country are still searching for relatives who allegedly disappeared, while others continue to mourn loved ones who are said to have died during police operations or under circumstances that have raised concerns about the use of force.
The group said affected families deserve the truth, justice and investigations conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
“As the country prepares for the #SabaSabaMarchForOurLives mobilisation, we are reminded that behind every statistic is a human life; a son, a daughter, a parent, a friend, or a neighbour whose future was cut short or whose whereabouts remain unknown,” SJCWG said in a statement.
It added that the campaign is intended not only to demand accountability but also to honour those whose deaths or disappearances warrant independent investigations.
Call for Rule of Law
The organisation stressed that constitutional guarantees, including the right to life, liberty and a fair hearing, must be upheld regardless of the allegations facing any individual.
“Justice cannot be achieved through unlawful killings, enforced disappearances or torture. A society governed by the rule of law must ensure that allegations of crime are addressed through independent investigations and fair judicial processes,” the group said.
SJCWG also cautioned against branding victims as criminals without judicial determination, arguing that such characterisations undermine the constitutional presumption of innocence.
“It is also important to challenge narratives that seek to justify unlawful killings by branding victims as ‘goons’, ‘thugs’ or ‘criminals’ without the benefit of a fair trial. Labels cannot replace evidence, and public opinion cannot substitute for the courts,” the statement added.
Peaceful Demonstrations
The group said the march is intended to be peaceful and lawful, emphasising that public institutions remain accountable to citizens and that peaceful criticism of state agencies is protected in a democratic society.
It also acknowledged the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to maintain public order while respecting human rights and human dignity.
Organisers have encouraged communities to share the stories and photographs of relatives who have died or remain missing so they can be remembered as individuals rather than statistics.
The Saba Saba March for Our Lives is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, under the theme “Our Lives Matter, Freedom, Dignity, Justice.”
Constitutional Context
The planned demonstrations come as Kenya continues to witness public debate over accountability for alleged cases of enforced disappearances, deaths during protests and police conduct.
The Constitution guarantees the rights to life, human dignity, peaceful assembly and access to justice, while also requiring security agencies to operate within the law.
Authorities have consistently maintained that police operations are conducted in accordance with the law and that allegations of misconduct are subject to investigation through established oversight mechanisms, including the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).