Ten People Die in Kenya Protests
By Lerato Mpembe
On July 7, 2025, at least ten people lost their lives across Kenya during anti-government protests that coincided with the annual Saba Saba Day commemorations, according to the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The demonstrations, marked by violent clashes between protesters and police on the outskirts of Nairobi, underscored the mounting frustration among young Kenyans over economic stagnation, corruption, and police brutality. As the nation reflected on its historic fight for democracy, the heavy-handed response from security forces and allegations of their collaboration with criminal gangs cast a dark shadow over the day’s events.
Deadly Clashes Erupt Across Kenya
The protests erupted on Monday, July 7, 2025, a date known as Saba Saba Day, meaning “Seven Seven” in Swahili, which honours the 1990 uprising that paved the way for multi-party democracy in Kenya. This year’s demonstrations, however, turned tragic, with the KNCHR reporting ten fatalities and 29 injuries across 17 counties. The National Police Service (NPS) provided a slightly higher toll, recording 11 deaths, alongside 52 police officers and 11 civilians wounded.
In Nairobi, the epicentre of the unrest, police established roadblocks and restricted access to central areas, leaving the city’s business district unusually quiet. Despite these measures, skirmishes broke out on the outskirts, where anti-riot police fired teargas and, in some instances, live ammunition to disperse small gatherings. Eyewitnesses reported protesters retaliating by throwing rocks, with some engaging in looting and vandalism. The KNCHR also documented 37 arrests nationwide during the unrest.
Police Accused of Colluding with Criminal Gangs
A particularly alarming accusation emerged from the KNCHR, which claimed that police officers were working alongside “hooded gangs” armed with crude weapons—such as whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows, and arrows—during the protests. These gangs were reportedly seen operating in tandem with security forces in several counties, including Nairobi, attacking both protesters and journalists. The rights group highlighted an incident where a gang of about 25 motorbike-riding assailants disrupted a press conference, stealing laptops and valuables from journalists.
The National Police Service swiftly denied these allegations, with a spokesperson asserting that the KNCHR’s statements “may lack factualness many times over” and insisting that the police “would never work alongside individuals called ‘goons’ or criminal elements.” Despite this rebuttal, the accusations have fuelled public outrage and intensified calls for accountability.
Why Are Kenyans Protesting?
At the heart of the demonstrations are deep-seated grievances among young Kenyans, who are increasingly vocal about economic stagnation, rampant corruption, and persistent police brutality. Social media has amplified their anger, with hashtags like “Ruto Must Go” and “wantam” (meaning “one term”) becoming rallying cries against President William Ruto’s administration. Protesters accuse the government of hiring armed vandals to infiltrate and discredit their movement—a claim that echoes the KNCHR’s reports of criminal gang involvement.
The economic context is dire: approximately 80% of Kenyans are trapped in informal, low-paying jobs, and rising living costs have dashed hopes of a better future. Nairobi motorbike driver Rogers Onsomu, 32, captured the sentiment of many, telling AFP, “What [Ruto] has promised the country, [he] is not delivering. The power belongs to the people… We will not relent and we will keep it going each and every day.”
Government’s Stance: Protests as an “Attempted Coup”
The Ruto administration has taken a hardline stance, labelling the protests an “attempted coup” and emphasizing the need to maintain law and order. The NPS praised its officers for showing “exceptional restraint and professionalism” amid what it described as sustained violence and provocation. However, this narrative starkly contrasts with accounts of excessive force, including the use of water cannons and live rounds, as well as the alleged collaboration with gangs.
The government’s response builds on its handling of earlier protests, such as those in June 2025, which left 19 dead according to rights groups, and the 2023 demonstrations, where at least 31 fatalities were recorded. Critics argue that the lack of accountability for these incidents has emboldened security forces and deepened public distrust.
Saba Saba Day: A Legacy Under Threat
Saba Saba Day commemorates the July 7, 1990, protests that challenged the autocratic rule of then-President Daniel arap Moi, ultimately leading to multi-party elections. It remains a powerful symbol of civic resistance and Kenya’s democratic journey. Yet, the violent suppression of the 2025 protests has drawn unsettling parallels to the Moi era, prompting concern about the erosion of those hard-won freedoms.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, a key figure in the original Saba Saba movement, condemned the police actions and called for national dialogue on police reform. He noted that roadblocks prevented him from joining commemorative events at Kamukunji, a historic site for the 1990 protests, underscoring the extent of the security clampdown.
A City Paralysed: Economic and Social Fallout
The protests brought Nairobi to a standstill. Businesses shuttered their doors, schools kept students home, and the central business district resembled a ghost town. “I have never witnessed the city centre like this,” said Edmond Khayimba, a 29-year-old security guard, speaking to AFP. On the outskirts, however, the unrest spilled over into looting and property destruction, further straining an already fragile economy.
The economic impact is significant, with thousands of businesses destroyed in recent months of unrest. For a nation grappling with widespread poverty and unemployment, the protests are as much a cry for economic justice as they are a demand for political change.
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