Millie Odhiambo’s advice to protestors amid Saba Saba demos
Suba North Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo has issued a strong advisory to Kenyans participating in the ongoing Monday, July 7, 2025, Saba Saba protests, urging them, especially women, to exercise extreme caution.
Her statement comes amid rising concerns over insecurity, violence, and criminal activity witnessed during public demonstrations.
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The legislator raised the alarm over the infiltration of peaceful protests by individuals and groups with questionable intentions.
According to her, such groups may be aligned to various political interests, both from the government and the opposition or may simply be opportunistic criminals taking advantage of large crowds.
She pointed out that this trend is not new and has previously affected even politicians during political gatherings.
“For those going for demonstrations, especially ladies, please note that there are many other people with ill intent who infiltrate such events. Some may be sponsored by different people or agencies [both government and opposition aligned, mainly for political gains]. Some may just be criminals hoping for a quick kill by stealing from others. Many politicians have been victims of this last group in the past,” she said.
She highlighted a common tactic used by criminal elements, involving sudden mass movements within crowds, popularly referred to as “waves”, which often end with numerous attendees losing personal belongings like phones and wallets.
These incidents are carefully executed in the chaos of rallies, making it difficult to identify or apprehend the culprits.
Millie further raised serious concerns over a disturbing rise in cases where these criminal groups are now targeting women. She noted that some of these gangs have grown more confident over time, shifting from petty theft to acts of physical assault and sexual violence, especially towards women walking to and from protest venues.
Message to law enforcers
She called on law enforcement agencies to act firmly and impartially against all forms of criminal behaviour, regardless of political affiliation. Her concern was amplified by recent attacks on staff members from the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), including women, during protest-related violence.
“We call on the police to take decisive action against all goons regardless of their origins or affiliations, including the ones that attacked KHRC staff, including women staffers, yesterday,” she added.
In closing, she urged all protesters to remain vigilant and take personal safety measures seriously. With the protests gaining momentum, the legislator’s warning serves as a reminder of the multiple risks involved and the need for both organisers and participants to prioritise safety.
Sabasaba Demos
On July 7, 2025, Saba Saba protests swept across Kenya, reigniting the spirit of the 1990 pro-democracy movement while addressing contemporary grievances such as police brutality, corruption, and governance failures. Led largely by Gen Z activists and civil society groups, demonstrations erupted in Nairobi, Kitengela, Nakuru, Karatina, and Kisii. In Kitengela, protesters blocked roads and lit bonfires, while in Nakuru, businesses closed and schools sent students home due to fears of violence. A heavy police presence marked the day, with tear gas deployed in Nairobi’s Central Business District and on major roads such as Thika Road, Kenyatta Avenue, and Jogoo Road.
