Osoro dismisses Saba Saba protests as outdated, politically driven
South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro has urged Kenyan youth to stay away from the planned Saba Saba demonstrations scheduled for July 7, 2025, describing them as outdated and politically manipulated.
Speaking in the Coast region on Sunday, July 6, 2025, just hours before the planned nationwide protests, the MP questioned the relevance of reviving the historic Saba Saba demonstrations in the current political context.
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Osoro drew distinctions between the original Saba Saba protests — the historic 1990 movement that championed multiparty democracy — and the current planned demonstrations, arguing that the historical grievances that motivated the earlier protests have been addressed.
“Saba Saba of 1990 was about fighting for multiparty democracy in Kenya. Tomorrow, what are you going to fight for when we already have multiple parties? No one is stopping you from joining any party,” Osoro stated.
Political manipulation
The MP, who also serves as the National Assembly Majority Whip, warned young people not to allow themselves to be misused by politicians under the guise of protest, asserting that demonstrations should not be an excuse to destroy property or cause chaos.
He urged them to be cautious about participating in demonstrations that he characterised as lacking clear objectives.
“Why would you say you’re protesting and then go destroy other people’s property? That’s simply being misused—being sent out for the wrong reasons,” he commented.
Security concerns
Osoro further expressed concern over the risk of insecurity, alleging that firearms stolen from police stations during the June 25 protests are now in the wrong hands.
“Let me remind you—last week, or the week before—they protested, burned down a police station, and stole guns,” he stated.
The MP warned that the presence of stolen firearms among civilians could lead to violence being blamed on security forces, as it would be difficult to identify who was responsible for any shootings.
“Many police guns are now out there on the streets. Be careful tomorrow as you leave Nairobi. Those guns are circulating. They are out there. You might get shot, and then they will say it was the police who shot you—yet we don’t even know which criminal has those guns now,” he cautioned.
Osoro emphasised the need for peace and unity in Kenya, arguing that the country requires stability rather than continued demonstrations.
“That’s why we are saying, in Kenya right now, what we want is peace. What we want is love. What we want is development today. We do not want violence,” he added.
