Kenya Insights

Tag: SABA SABA

  • Police Used Excessive Force on Protesters Resulting in 65 Deaths, IPOA Reports

    Police Used Excessive Force on Protesters Resulting in 65 Deaths, IPOA Reports

    The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has condemned Kenya’s police force for using disproportionate force during recent protests, leading to 65 civilian deaths across the country.

    In a damning report released Thursday, IPOA revealed that the fatalities occurred during four major demonstrations between June and July 2025, including the June 25 anti-Finance Bill commemorative protests and the Saba Saba demonstrations on July 7.

    The oversight body documented widespread violations of constitutional policing standards, with officers treating peaceful protests as riots and deploying lethal crowd control measures that contravened Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.

    “Police dispatched to quell the riots used lethal crowd control measures that resulted in fatalities,” the IPOA report stated, highlighting significant breaches that included unprofessional conduct and failure to uphold public safety.

    Systemic Failures Exposed

    IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan pointed to multiple systemic issues, including police officers operating without name tags, using vehicles with concealed number plates, and commanders hiding their rank insignia during operations.

    The authority also criticized police for failing to intervene when counter-protesters, some allegedly hired by business owners, infiltrated peaceful demonstrations with crude weapons and motorcycles.

    Officers Left Without Basic Provisions

    In a troubling revelation, IPOA found that police officers deployed during the protests were not provided with meals, water, or allowances throughout their deployment.

    Despite this, 171 officers sustained injuries during the demonstrations.

    “The Inspector General of Police should allocate sufficient budget to ensure that meals, water and allowances are provided for police officers deployed during protests,” IPOA recommended.

    Mass Arrests

    The protests resulted in 1,126 arrests, with 223 suspects arraigned in court.

    The highest number of arrests occurred during the July 7 Saba Saba protests, where 720 people were detained.

    IPOA has called for comprehensive reforms, including the use of body cameras by officers, proper identification of all police personnel, and establishment of dedicated medical units for protest areas.

    The authority has committed to continued monitoring of police operations to ensure accountability and adherence to constitutional policing standards.

  • Saba Saba Death Toll Climbs to 38

    Saba Saba Death Toll Climbs to 38

    NAIROBI, Kenya – The death toll from Kenya’s annual Saba Saba demonstrations has risen to 38, with over 130 people injured nationwide, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which released the grim statistics Friday evening.

    The commission’s latest report paints a disturbing picture of this year’s July 7 protests, which commemorate Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy but turned deadly amid rising public anger over economic hardships and governance issues.

    The fatalities span multiple counties, with Kiambu bearing the heaviest toll at eight deaths, followed by Nairobi and Kajiado counties with six deaths each. The widespread nature of the casualties suggests coordinated security operations across the country.

    Among the victims is a 12-year-old girl from Kiambu who was fatally shot while watching television in her home – a stark reminder that the violence extended beyond the protest sites themselves.

    KNCHR’s investigation reveals alarming patterns in the deaths. Of the 15 postmortems conducted so far, 14 victims died from gunshot wounds, raising serious questions about the proportionality of force used by security agencies.

    The demographic breakdown is equally concerning. The majority of victims are youth under 25, with four women and two children among the deceased.

    This age profile reflects the composition of Kenya’s protest movement, which has been largely driven by young people demanding economic reforms and better governance.

    Despite a government directive to waive medical and mortuary fees for protest victims, families report being charged for postmortem services and other medical expenses.

    KNCHR has criticized these actions as “not only unlawful but also inhumane,” particularly for vulnerable families already struggling with grief and financial hardship.

    “The families claim they are also being asked to pay the postmortem charges in addition to other medical and mortuary bills, contrary to the waiver issued by the Government,” KNCHR stated, noting that most affected families are underprivileged and unable to bear these costs.

    The commission is working alongside the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) to assist families with postmortem procedures and document violations.

    KNCHR has demanded that the Ministry of Health immediately and unconditionally implement the promised waiver of all medical bills related to the protests, while continuing to monitor and document human rights violations.

    Saba Saba, which means “Seven Seven” in Swahili, marks the historic July 7, 1990 demonstration that helped launch Kenya’s multiparty democracy movement.

    The annual commemoration has become a platform for expressing grievances about governance and economic conditions.

    This year’s protests occurred against a backdrop of mounting public discontent over economic hardships, with many Kenyans struggling with high costs of living and limited economic opportunities.

    The commission’s documentation efforts continue as it maintains its “steadfast” commitment to monitoring human rights violations and urging citizens to report incidents.

  • Raila Odinga Launches Signature Collection as Kenyans Protest Skyrocketing Commodity Prices

    Raila Odinga Launches Signature Collection as Kenyans Protest Skyrocketing Commodity Prices

    Opposition leader Raila Odinga has initiated the collection of 10 million signatures, expressing that Kenyans are exhausted after the approval of the Finance Bill, which has caused a significant increase in commodity prices.

    Odinga is determined to restore power to the people through constitutional means.

    Speaking at a Saba Saba rally in Kamukunji on Friday, Odinga emphasized, “The Constitution states that power belongs to the people. Today, we are commencing the collection of ten million signatures, and we will have them by the end of next week.”

    Following his speech in Kamukunji, Odinga called upon his supporters to join him in a march towards Central Park. However, the crowd was met with teargas, and the police attempted to disrupt Odinga’s convoy, resulting in chaotic scenes.

    Undeterred, Odinga stated, “The time for talks is over, and we must take action now. We will act within the bounds of the law by collecting 10 million signatures to reclaim power for the people.”