NAIROBI, Kenya – At least ten people were killed and dozens injured on Monday as widespread protests marking Kenya’s 35th Saba Saba Day descended into chaos, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
In a statement released Monday evening, the Commission said it had documented 10 fatalities, 29 injuries, two abductions and 37 arrests across 17 counties.
The protests, largely driven by youth under the Gen Z banner, were marred by violent police crackdowns, looting, and obstruction of essential services.
“Many citizens were unable to report to work, despite directives by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service requiring full attendance,” said KNCHR Vice Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris.
Police erected heavy barricades on roads leading into major urban centres, especially Nairobi, where movement was severely restricted.
Additional roadblocks were reported in Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru, and Embu, paralyzing public transport and leaving hundreds of commuters stranded. The disruption extended to air and rail transport, the Commission noted.
Looting, Violence, and Attacks on Rights Groups
KNCHR also reported looting in at least six counties and confirmed that the Kerugoya Central Constituency Development Fund (CDF) office was set ablaze by suspected criminal gangs.
In Nairobi, Kiambu, Eldoret, and Kajiado, armed gangs wielding machetes, clubs, whips, bows and arrows were seen patrolling the streets—often alongside or with the tacit approval of police officers, according to the Commission.
The human rights watchdog condemned a violent raid on the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices in Nairobi, where staff and civilians were reportedly beaten by “hired thugs.”
Journalists covering the incident were also assaulted and robbed, with CCTV footage capturing some of the attackers.
KNCHR called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the KHRC attack.
Police Defy Court Orders, Use Plainclothes Officers
The Commission further criticized the National Police Service for defying a High Court directive requiring officers managing demonstrations to be in full uniform and identifiable at all times.
Instead, hooded, plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles were spotted patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado and Nakuru, violating both the court order and standard policing norms.
Learning was brought to a standstill in many regions as schools shut down due to safety concerns.
The Commission also received distress calls from patients unable to reach hospitals, and reported that nurses at Kitengela Subcounty Hospital fled after protestors threatened to torch the facility when police shot demonstrators outside.
KNCHR raised concern over what it described as a “surge in persecution” of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), noting that over 20 activists had been arrested, assaulted, or summoned by police in the past week.
“The criminalization of legitimate human rights work must stop,” Dr. Nyeris said.
