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Eyewitness News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Nairobi tense as Kenya marks democracy uprising
NAIROBI - Kenya marked its fight for democracy on Monday, with police blocking main roads in Nairobi ahead of potential protests, after last month's demonstrations descended into violent clashes. Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on 7 July 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi. This year's event comes as young Kenyans - frustrated over economic stagnation, corruption and repeated acts of police brutality - are once again engaging in protests that have degenerated into looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed. Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government has compared the demos to an "attempted coup". On Monday, the streets of Nairobi were eerily quiet after police mounted roadblocks on the main roads, preventing most people from entering the centre, with many businesses closed for the day. Leading activist Hanifa Aden wrote on X: "the police getting rained on as they block every road while we stay at home warming our beds." "Total shutdown and forced holiday executed by the state," she said. On Sunday afternoon, a press conference by the Kenyan Human Rights Commission calling for an end to "enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings" was broken up when men, some armed with sticks, forced their way into the compound. Social media and rising economic expectations have created anger at inequalities in a country where around 80% are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs. But the violent response of the police, at least 80 people have died in protests since June 2024 and dozens detained illegally, has scared many off the streets. 'THE WORLD IS DIFFERENT' Politically, President William Ruto - elected in 2022 - still holds a strong position having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027. But each violent crackdown is fuelling further unrest, said activist Nerima Wako. "Every time people organise a protest, they kill more people, so it just continues to feed off itself," she said. It is as though the government is recycling tactics from the 1990s, said Gabrielle Lynch, an African politics expert at Britain's University of Warwick. "But we're not in the nineties," she said. "They don't seem to have realised the world is different." "People don't have the same inbuilt fear of the state."
Al Jazeera
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Roads blocked in Kenya's capital on anniversary of pro-democracy protests
Kenya is marking its anniversary of pro-democracy rallies, with police blocking main roads in the capital, Nairobi, anticipating protests, after last month's demonstrations descended into violent clashes. People rally each year on July 7 to mark the date in 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multiparty democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-President Daniel arap Moi. The protest is called 'Saba Saba', meaning 'seven seven' in Kiswahili, because of the date. Monday's event comes as young Kenyans – angry over economic stagnation, corruption and repeated acts of police brutality – are once again engaging in protests that also saw looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed. Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government has compared the demonstrations with an 'attempted coup'. On Monday, the streets of Nairobi were eerily quiet after police mounted roadblocks on the main roads, preventing most people from entering the centre, with many businesses closed for the day. The government is committed to protecting life and property during protests, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on his X account on Sunday. 'Our security agencies are on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property,' he said. Leading activist Hanifa Aden wrote on X: 'The police getting rained on as they block every road while we stay at home warming our beds.' 'Total shutdown and forced holiday executed by the state,' she added. On Sunday afternoon, a news conference by the Kenyan Human Rights Commission calling for an end to 'enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings' was broken up when men, some armed with sticks, forced their way into the compound. Social media and rising economic expectations have created anger at inequalities in a country where about 80 percent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs. The death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, in police custody in June gave impetus to protests, with the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reporting 19 deaths across the country during demonstrations last month. Prosecutors approved murder charges against six people, including three police officers, over Ojwang's death. All six pleaded not guilty. At least 80 people have died in protests since June 2024 and dozens detained illegally. Politically, President William Ruto – elected in 2022 – still holds a strong position, having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader, Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027.
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Nairobi tense as Kenya marks democracy uprising
NAIROBI: Kenya marked its fight for democracy on Monday, with police blocking main roads in Nairobi ahead of potential protests, after last month's demonstrations descended into violent clashes. Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on July 7, 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi. This year's event comes as young Kenyans — frustrated over economic stagnation, corruption and repeated acts of police brutality — are once again engaging in protests that have degenerated into looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed. Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government has compared the demos to an 'attempted coup.' On Monday, the streets of Nairobi were eerily quiet after police mounted roadblocks on the main roads, preventing most people from entering the center, with many businesses closed for the day. Leading activist Hanifa Aden wrote on X: 'the police getting rained on as they block every road while we stay at home warming our beds.' 'Total shutdown and forced holiday executed by the state,' she said. On Sunday afternoon, a press conference by the Kenyan Human Rights Commission calling for an end to 'enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings' was broken up when men, some armed with sticks, forced their way into the compound. Social media and rising economic expectations have created anger at inequalities in a country where around 80 percent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs. But the violent response of the police — at least 80 people have died in protests since June 2024 and dozens detained illegally — has scared many off the streets. Politically, President William Ruto — elected in 2022 — still holds a strong position having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027. But each violent crackdown is fueling further unrest, said activist Nerima Wako. 'Every time people organize a protest, they kill more people, so it just continues to feed off itself,' she said. It is as though the government is recycling tactics from the 1990s, said Gabrielle Lynch, an African politics expert at Britain's University of Warwick. 'But we're not in the nineties,' she said. 'They don't seem to have realized the world is different.' 'People don't have the same inbuilt fear of the state.'
