LSK slams state over police conduct during Saba Saba demonstrations
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Police Reforms Working Group have condemned the government over what they described as unconstitutional and excessive police action during the Saba Saba demonstrations held on Monday, July 7, 2025.
In a joint statement issued Monday evening, the organisations expressed deep concern over reports confirming the deaths of at least nine people across the country, all from gunshot wounds, as recorded by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights by 6:30 pm.
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They criticised the police response to protests that took place across 20 counties, describing it as a betrayal of democratic principles and constitutional obligations.
“Saba Saba Day symbolises our nation’s enduring struggle for democracy, civil liberties and political reform,” the statement read.
“Today, Kenyans took to the streets in twenty out of 47 counties. They include Nairobi, Kajiado, Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisii, Embu, Kisumu, Kiambu, Meru, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Vihiga, Narok, Kirinyaga, Uasin Gishu, Tharaka Nithi, Makueni, Laikipia, and Kakamega. Due to the widespread nature of today’s protests, final figures on arrests and injuries will take time to verify and compile,” the statement continued.
Movement restrictions
According to LSK, the National Police Service breached its constitutional obligation to respect, facilitate, and protect the right to peaceful assembly.
“Under Article 37 of the Constitution, the National Police Service Act, and the Public Order Act, the Government of Kenya and the National Police Service have five core obligations,” they stated.
This, they noted, was due to protestors being denied freedom of movement and expression through the closure of seven major routes into Nairobi and widespread blockades in towns across the country.
“The freedom of movement, expression and assembly was denied today. One of the most acute bans since COVID-19 was imposed across several business districts across Nairobi and several towns. People travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi were particularly inconvenienced. Seven major routes into Nairobi were blocked for most of the day,” the statement added.
Lack of police engagement
The groups asserted that police failed to engage with protest organizers, as legally required, and in some instances rejected duly served notifications.
Citing Mombasa as one example where police ignored procedural requirements, they argued that this contradicted earlier assurances by the Interior and Public Service Cabinet Secretaries that protests would be facilitated.
“Today’s actions contradicted earlier assurances by Interior and Public Service Cabinet Secretaries, who had pledged to facilitate protests and warned civil servants against absenteeism,” they said.
“There was no evidence of the police engaging with protest organisers in advance to agree on routes, timing, and safety measures. In the case of Mombasa, the police rejected a duly served.”
Excessive force and deployment concerns
The rights groups expressed particular concern about the deployment of heavily armed, masked officers in unmarked vehicles, which violates court orders requiring police to be identifiable.
Citing Ngong Town, Kajiado — where the highest death toll of three occurred — the statement highlighted that such units were reportedly seen using military-grade weapons.
“Heavily armed police with military grade weapons were deployed in violation of court orders, using masks and unmarked vehicles to conceal their identities. We noted several arbitrary arrests of boda boda riders, the use of water cannons, particularly in Kitengela and Kikuyu and tear gas in Doonholm, Nairobi and the deployment of Kenya Defence Force Officers in Kayole, Naivasha,” the statement added.
The organisations also pointed out the failure to prevent militia gangs from violently attacking protesters, bystanders, businesspeople, and local businesses.
“Alarmingly, the pattern of militia gangs violently attacking protesters, bystanders, businesspeople and businesses was not prevented. Restrictions on medical personnel and the containment of protesters in densely populated Nairobi suburbs made emergency healthcare inaccessible for many,” they stated.
Call for accountability
Signed by over 20 civil society organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, Katiba Institute, FIDA-Kenya, KHRC and Transparency International Kenya, the statement calls for urgent accountability and an end to what they termed “a pattern of violent repression.”
“Tragically, nine families will now receive news of their loved ones’ deaths, with many more nursing injuries — a stark reminder that the right to protest in Kenya remains under siege,” it concluded.
