At least 11 reported dead, scores injured amid growing unrest over corruption, cost of living, and police brutality
Africa Live News Staff
NAIROBI — Kenya descended into violent confrontations on Monday, July 7, as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in anti-government protests that turned deadly. The protests, symbolically held on Saba Saba Day, were marked by widespread clashes between protesters and police, roadblocks, business closures, and a heavy security presence across the country.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a government-funded watchdog, at least 10 people lost their lives and 29 others sustained injuries during the nationwide protests. However, a conflicting report by the Kenyan Police released on Monday evening put the death toll at 11, while citing a far lower number of civilian injuries and confirming that several police officers were also wounded.
The protests were called in response to deepening public frustration over alleged corruption, poor governance, rising living costs, and a surge in police brutality under President William Ruto’s administration.
Teargas, Bonfires, and Blood on the Streets
In the capital city of Nairobi, chaos erupted as protesters lit bonfires, hurled stones, and erected roadblocks in defiance of security forces. Riot police retaliated by firing live rounds and deploying multiple teargas canisters to disperse the crowds.
Associated Press journalists on the ground reported seeing an injured demonstrator being carried away by fellow protesters, who chanted slogans denouncing police violence and President Ruto’s leadership.
“People are tired. The cost of food, fuel, and school fees has become unbearable. We came out today to demand change and justice,” said 27-year-old protester George Mwangi, who was part of the demonstrations in Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood. “Instead, they responded with bullets and beatings.”
One protester was reportedly injured after being struck by a teargas canister. Meanwhile, security forces sealed off major roads leading into Nairobi, effectively shutting down access to the city centre, including roads approaching Parliament and the President’s office, which were barricaded with razor wire and heavy police presence.
Government Clamps Down on Access to Nairobi
By mid-morning, Nairobi had become a virtual ghost town. Most businesses remained shuttered, and roads were empty except for armed patrols and sporadic groups of demonstrators. Police officers manned checkpoints, stopping both public and private vehicles from entering the capital. Only pedestrians deemed to be essential workers were allowed through the barricades.
Public Service Minister Geoffrey Ruku had on Sunday urged all government employees to report to work as normal, stating that “public service must continue uninterrupted” despite the planned protests.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen echoed the government’s hard stance, warning that the administration would not tolerate “violence or destruction of property.”
“The government has a duty to ensure that every Kenyan is safe,” Murkomen said. “We have deployed the police not to oppress, but to protect the public and maintain order.”
Despite these assurances, rights groups, local leaders, and many citizens accused the government of using excessive force.
A Day of Historical Significance: Saba Saba
The demonstrations held on July 7 — widely known as Saba Saba Day — are deeply rooted in Kenya’s democratic struggle. On this day in 1990, thousands took to the streets to demand a multiparty political system, challenging the authoritarian rule of then-President Daniel arap Moi. These demonstrations ultimately led to Kenya’s transition to a multiparty democracy in the 1992 elections.
Thirty-five years later, protest leaders say they are once again fighting for a democratic future — one where the rule of law, economic justice, and government accountability prevail.
“Saba Saba is not just a date. It’s a cry for justice, and we are reviving that spirit,” said human rights activist Rebecca Odhiambo, who helped organize the protest. “This government has betrayed the youth and working people of Kenya. We demand dignity.”
Mounting Discontent Across the Country
Beyond Nairobi, similar demonstrations and police crackdowns were reported in Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Nakuru. In some towns, demonstrators blocked highways and stormed government offices. Videos circulating on social media showed civilians running from police in clouds of teargas, while others chanted slogans such as “Ruto must go!” and “No justice, no peace!”
The protests appear to be the culmination of months of growing discontent across Kenya. Inflation has remained stubbornly high, pushing basic commodities out of reach for many households. Unemployment, especially among the youth, continues to rise.
Civil society groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Amnesty International Kenya, condemned the police’s use of force and urged the government to open dialogue with protest leaders rather than respond with repression.
In a joint statement, the organizations said: “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. The government must stop treating protesters like criminals and instead listen to their genuine concerns.”
What’s Next?
As night fell on Monday, tension remained high. Protesters vowed to return to the streets if their demands were not met, while the government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on what it termed “destructive agitation.”
With the rising death toll and mounting public anger, observers fear the country may be headed toward a prolonged period of unrest unless the administration engages with civil society and opposition voices.
For now, Kenyans are left grappling with fear, grief, and uncertainty, even as the memory of Saba Saba rekindles hope for justice and freedom.
Africa Live News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
