What began as a day to commemorate Kenya’s hard-fought democratic gains, Saba Saba Day 2025, has instead devolved into a somber reckoning, leaving a trail of death, injury, and profound human rights concerns. A new, harrowing report from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has painted a far grimmer picture of the Monday, July 7 protests than initially presented by authorities, revealing a staggering death toll of 31 individuals.
The stark figures were released by KNCHR Vice-Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris in a statement on Tuesday, July 8. By 7 PM that evening, the state-funded commission had meticulously documented a harrowing increase in casualties and arrests across the nation. Beyond the tragic fatalities, the report disclosed that the number of documented injuries from the protests now stands at 107, with the chilling addition of two cases of abductions. The sheer scale of the crackdown is further underscored by the 532 arrests documented by Tuesday evening.
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Describing the events of Monday as "deeply troubling," the KNCHR condemned what it unequivocally labeled a violation of human rights. The commission issued a resolute call for accountability, emphasizing that all stakeholders – a critical distinction including both civilians and police officers – must be held responsible for their actions.
The Saba Saba Day protests were intended to honour the historic 1990 pro-democracy movement, a pivotal moment when Kenyans courageously demanded multiparty politics against an authoritarian regime. However, the 35th anniversary of this struggle took a profoundly dark turn. Despite extensive law enforcement efforts to block access to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and other key urban areas, planned demonstrations quickly descended into skirmishes and widespread unrest. Running battles between police officers and protestors were reported in various parts of the country, with areas like Kiserian, Ngong, and Kitengela tragically classified as the most volatile zones on that fateful Monday.
What makes the KNCHR's report particularly damning is its stark contrast with the figures initially released by the National Police Service (NPS) shortly after calm was ostensibly restored on Monday. The NPS had reported a significantly lower death toll of 11 individuals, with only 63 injuries documented – of which 52 were stated to be police officers. While the NPS's initial report also detailed property damage, including 12 police vehicles, three government vehicles, and four civilian vehicles, the KNCHR's Tuesday report notably did not specify the value of the damaged property, focusing instead on the devastating human cost.
This significant discrepancy between the figures from a state-funded human rights body and the police service raises serious questions about the transparency and accuracy of official reporting during times of crisis. It fuels public distrust and intensifies calls for independent investigations into the conduct of law enforcement during the protests.
The escalating human toll and alleged abuses have not gone unnoticed on the international stage. The latest wave of protests has drawn the attention of prominent global bodies, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Türk has issued a strong appeal to Kenyan authorities, urging them to address the root cause of the growing disconnect between the government and its civilians. His intervention underscores the international community's concern over the escalating violence and the perceived erosion of fundamental rights. In a proactive move to ensure comprehensive documentation and justice, the KNCHR has called upon anyone with information or human rights concerns related to the Monday protests to reach out to the commission. This open call for public input is crucial for building a thorough record of events and supporting potential legal action or advocacy efforts.
