Jubilee party issues statement on Saba Saba protests
The Jubilee Party, through its Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, has issued a statement addressing the ongoing Saba Saba protests witnessed in various parts of the country.
In his address on July 7, Kioni emphasised that the Saba Saba protests are more than just demonstrations—they are a symbolic remembrance of the historic struggle led by brave Kenyans who pushed for the repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution, paving the way for multi-party democracy in the early 1990s.
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“We stand in solemn remembrance of the brave men and women who, on July 7, 1990, rose against authoritarianism, demanding multiparty democracy, civil liberty and accountable government,” Kioni said.
He noted that this day serves as a reminder of the brutal era under the KANU regime, where state machinery was used to violently suppress citizens who took to the streets demanding political freedom, accountability, and an end to one-party rule.
Despite the repression, the determination of those who fought for democracy eventually led to the removal of Section 2A, opening the political space in the country.
Kioni drew parallels between the repressive tactics of the past and the current situation in the country. He pointed out that while the 2010 Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to protest, the current administration has chosen to disregard those rights, instead using force and intimidation to silence dissent.
“The government then, as now, met those brave Kenyans with brutal force, arbitrary arrests, detention, torture and even death,” he added
He further observed that July 7 would have marked the birthday of Albert Ojwang, a young Kenyan who, according to the party, lost his life while exercising his constitutional right to protest. The party maintains that such deaths are a painful reminder of the cost Kenyans continue to pay in the fight for freedom and accountability.
“Today would have been Albert Ojwang’s birthday, but this regime brutally killed him in gross violation of his constitutional rights,” he added.
Abductions and disappearances
The Jubilee Party also expressed deep concern over the rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances of individuals linked to recent protests. According to the party, these incidents point to a worrying trend where state agencies are resorting to unlawful tactics to stifle political expression and public participation.
“We are deeply disturbed by the continued extrajudicial killings, abductions and disappearances of peaceful protestors, many of them being Gen Zs,” Kioni said.
This comes a time when Saba Saba demos have gained momentum in several parts of the country.
