By Staff Reporter
As Kenya marks yet another anniversary of the historic Saba Saba movement, residents of major cities and towns are bracing for possible unrest after opposition-aligned groups called for nationwide protests on Monday, July 7 sparking fears of chaos and business disruption.
The planned demonstrations are widely portrayed as a Gen Z-led uprising with no clear leadership, yet political insiders say local opposition figures are discreetly pulling the strings.
Their involvement was evident during the chaotic June 25 commemoration of the deadly 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests. During last year’s unrest, a group of youths stormed Parliament shortly after lawmakers passed a controversial tax bill, an escalation that led to a police crackdown in which several youths were fatally shot.
On the anniversary, opposition figures, among them Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa joined young protesters in laying flowers at a razor-wire fence erected around Parliament to keep demonstrators at bay.
What began as a peaceful gathering quickly spiralled into chaos, with incidents of looting and running battles between protesters and police reported across parts of the country- leaving at least 16 people dead and over 400 injured.
President William Ruto decried the violence and destruction that occurred during the protests, describing them as acts of economic sabotage driven by political opportunists who took advantage of the genuine concerns of Kenya’s youth.
“The biggest victims of the chaos were our hardworking traders and entrepreneurs, who woke up very early morning today to find some of their businesses and hustles reduced to ashes, and others with broken doors and empty stalls,” Dr Ruto said.
The President said that although peaceful protest is allowed under the Constitution, the demonstrations had been hijacked by criminal groups pushing political agendas.
“We respect and uphold that right. But what we witnessed was not a peaceful protest. It was calculated chaos, violence and destruction. It was economic sabotage,” President Ruto said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, formerly the Interior Cabinet Secretary, backed President Ruto’s remarks, calling the June 25 protest the worst unrest Kenya has seen since the 2007/08 post-election crisis.
“It was shameful. The loss of lives, destruction of public and private property, wanton looting, and destruction of private businesses were unprecedented,” Prof Kindiki said.
He assured the public that the government would not allow politicians to exploit protests for destabilisation, warning that anyone found inciting violence would face legal consequences.
“I want to assure you that we will not allow what happened yesterday to be repeated ever. We cannot allow our country to slide into anarchy, lawlessness, and chaos,” Prof Kindiki said.
Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is currently the de facto opposition leader vehemently denied claims linking him to the June 25 protests, dismissing suggestions that he financed the unrest as false, malicious, and politically motivated.
In a press interview days after the protests, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader accused the government of scapegoating him to cover up its failure to manage the unrest.
“I didn’t join the June 25 protests because Gen Zs had asked leaders and elders to stay away as they don’t want to be associated with anyone. Had I shown up, it would’ve fuelled the claims that I fund them. I’m not their leader or financier, I only support their cause morally,” he said.
Gachagua dismissed Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s claim that the protests were part of a planned coup aimed at taking over state symbols like Parliament and State House.
Gachagua alleged the government staged the unrest to tarnish opposition leaders, accusing it of diverting protesters to the city centre by blocking routes like Kiambu and Thika roads.
“We have credible information that businesses in downtown Nairobi were selectively targeted especially those belonging to people from a certain region,” he alleged. “This brutal operation was led by officials from the Nairobi County Government and other state actors.”
As the government and opposition lock horns, many Kenyans particularly those in the informal sector are wary of the looming protests. Over the weekend, several traders in the city centre were seen reinforcing their premises with extra steel doors to keep out looters, while others moved their goods to safer locations to avoid losses.
“We can’t take chances this time,” said Peter Mwangi, a shoe seller on Tom Mboya street. “Last time, I lost everything. If the protests turn violent again, this door might buy me some time.”
On Sunday, some schools asked pupils to stay home on Monday, while private enterprises including banks advised employees to work remotely as a precaution ahead of the planned protests.