NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyans in 20 counties took to the streets on Monday to mark the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba Day, in one of the most widespread nationwide demonstrations in recent memory.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) said the protests, which spanned nearly half of the country’s 47 counties, were a clear sign of the growing frustration with the government over economic hardship, police brutality, and shrinking civic space.
Counties where protests were confirmed include Nairobi, Kajiado, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisii, Embu, Kisumu, Kiambu, Meru, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Vihiga, Narok, Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Laikipia, and Kakamega.
“Today, Kenyans have shown that the struggle for democracy and human rights is far from over,” said a joint statement from the coalition of human rights organizations led by LSK and PRWG.
Nine Confirmed Dead, Crackdown Intensifies
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported nine confirmed deaths by gunshot wounds as of 6:30 p.m. Monday.
The highest death toll was reported in Ngong Town, Kajiado County, where three people were shot dead. Others were killed in areas such as Kitengela, Doonholm, and Kayole.
Emergency healthcare was reportedly inaccessible in parts of Nairobi, with paramedics unable to reach injured protesters due to heavy police presence, tear gas, and road closures.
Protest Rights Violated Despite Legal Protections
Despite assurances by Interior and Public Service Cabinet Secretaries that protests would be facilitated and civil servants required to report to work, seven major routes into Nairobi were barricaded. Businesses and transport systems were paralyzed in multiple counties.
The crackdown was described by LSK and its partners as “one of the most severe protest restrictions since COVID-19 lockdowns.”
“Today’s actions were in clear violation of the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and the Public Order Act,” the statement read.
In Mombasa, police allegedly rejected a protest notification that was lawfully filed three days in advance, as required by law.
Masked Police, Unmarked Vehicles and Military-Grade Weapons
The groups also raised concern over the deployment of heavily armed, hooded police officers using military-grade weapons and unmarked vehicles in several protest hotspots, including Kajiado, Nairobi, and Nakuru.
This defied existing court orders requiring police to be identifiable during protest operations.
In addition, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were reportedly deployed in Kayole and Naivasha, raising fresh questions about the militarization of domestic policing.
Militia Attacks Go Unchecked
Alarmingly, the LSK-PRWG coalition reported the presence of violent militia gangs attacking protesters, business owners, and bystanders in towns such as Nairobi and Eldoret — often with no intervention from the police.
“The government failed to protect citizens and public order while simultaneously suppressing legitimate expressions of dissent,” the statement said.
Broader Human Rights Crackdown
The coalition also condemned increasing harassment of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), with more than 20 activists beaten, arrested, or summoned for questioning in the days leading up to Saba Saba.
They called for immediate investigations into the killings, accountability for rogue police units, and the protection of all Kenyans’ constitutional right to peaceful protest.
