NAIROBI — On July 7, Kenya’s 35th-anniversary Saba Saba protests—commemorating the 1990 uprising that birthed multiparty democracy—descended into chaos today as police fired tear gas, water cannons, and live rounds at youth demonstrators demanding police accountability, tax relief, and an end to corruption.
Witnesses report heavy barricades sealed off Nairobi’s CBD, while protesters marched defiantly, blowing whistles and chanting “Mwizi Ruto, utatuka!”—loosely translating to “Thief Ruto, you’ll regret it!”
Tests of crowd-control meant for rubber bullets reportedly used live fire when demonstrators charged forward. Reuters captured at least one protester disabled on the pavement, blood seeping through the cracks as others shouted “This is our democracy—not theirs.”
The new wave of unrest began last month after the death of teacher-blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died in custody after tweeting criticism of Deputy IG Eliud Lagat—triggering senior-level resignations. June’s protests left at least 20 dead and hundreds injured, according to official updates; activists claim numbers are much higher.
When asked how it felt to march past barrage of tear gas, 21-year-old activist Aisha Mwangi laughed, “They can gas us, shoot at us, but can’t stop our memes. This is resistance.” Indeed, the streets were swirling not just with tear gas—but with satirical jingles mocking Ruto’s “hustler state” and his inexplicable “airport upgrade” pledge.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent”—though only roundly Tuesday after accusing same protestors of being lazy “Gen Z slackers” last week.
Filed under: Kenya protests, Saba Saba, Human Rights, Satire