NAIROBI, Kenya- Human rights activists have formally notified the police of their intention to hold peaceful demonstrations in Nairobi to mark Saba Saba Day, calling on security agencies to facilitate the event by providing security and traffic management.
The Grassroots Economic Justice Movement wrote to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Sunday, informing the National Police Service of plans to stage a peaceful procession on Tuesday in commemoration of the historic pro-democracy movement.
According to the letter, the procession will begin at Jevanjee Gardens before proceeding through Nairobi’s Central Business District to Parliament Buildings, where demonstrators intend to present a petition to the Speakers and members of both the National Assembly and the Senate.
The movement’s National Convenor, Francis Awino, said the march would culminate in the delivery of a petition seeking parliamentary intervention on a range of human rights concerns.
Among the issues raised in the petition are allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force by security officers and the need to strengthen police accountability and oversight mechanisms.
The petition also calls on Parliament to safeguard constitutional rights and uphold the rule of law.
The organisers estimate that about 3,000 people, including civil society members, human rights defenders, youth leaders, religious leaders, professionals, students and members of the public, will participate in the procession, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
In their notification, the organisers pledged to ensure the demonstration remains peaceful and orderly.
“Participants shall remain peaceful, unarmed and orderly throughout the procession.”
Awino further assured police that organisers would encourage participants to maintain peace and cooperate fully with law enforcement officers to preserve public order throughout the event.
The notification comes as required under the Public Order Act, which requires organisers of public processions and assemblies to notify the police in advance to facilitate security arrangements. The Act does not require organisers to seek police permission but obliges authorities to make reasonable arrangements to ensure public safety.
The planned march coincides with the annual commemoration of Saba Saba, which marks the nationwide pro-democracy protests of July 7, 1990 that intensified calls for political reforms and contributed to the restoration of multi-party democracy in Kenya.
The movement remains a significant milestone in the country’s constitutional and democratic history.
The right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed is protected under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
At the same time, security agencies have a constitutional duty to facilitate the exercise of those rights while maintaining public order and protecting lives and property.
With the demonstrations expected to draw thousands of participants, attention will be on both organisers and law enforcement agencies to ensure the commemorations proceed peacefully and in accordance with the law.