Dozens of Nairobi residents were on Friday, July 9, arrested for taking part in Saba Saba protests in the city.
Some of the individuals arrested are human rights activists from the Social Justice Centre who stormed Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to protest against the high cost of living in the country.
Carrying placards with the message “#NjaaRevolution”, the groups chanted anti-government slogans to express their disapproval of the high prices of basic needs in the country.
The protests were, however, disrupted by anti-riot police officers who lobbed teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
Some of the activists were arrested and bundled into waiting police vehicles and taken into custody.
Happening Now
— Social Justice Centres Working Group (@UhaiWetu) July 7, 2023
Police lobby teargas at peaceful protesters during Saba Saba March for our lives, Nairobi
Michael Kamande, Clarice Halanga and Anami Toure have been arrested Comrade Said Athumani has also been injured by a teargas canister
Aluta Continua✊🏿#SabaSabaMarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/pon8sMsRcZ
The protests coincided with the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition Saba Saba rally at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is expected to lead his supporters in protesting additional taxes imposed on Kenyans by President William Ruto’s administration.
Saba Saba ‘Third Liberation’
According to the former prime minister, today’s protests will be used to launch the “Third Liberation”.
“Let us meet for the Saba Saba of our lifetime. On July 7, the people will take back the authority that was given to them. The people they elected have been bought by the government. That is why Kenyans will come out and say enough is enough,” Raila said recently while inviting Kenyans to attend the Kamukunji rally.
Meanwhile, cases of violent protests were reported in several parts of the city including Thika Road ahead of the Saba Saba rallies on Friday.
In videos shared on social media platforms, individuals were captured pelting stones at vehicles on the busy road.
Police were deployed to calm the situation and restore normalcy on the busy highway.
Saba Saba Day is commemorated on July 7 of every year to reflect on Kenya’s struggle for multi-party democracy in the early 1990s, popularly known as the ‘Second Liberation’.
