Riot, repression and reform: Will Kenya finally change?

July 7, 2025, marked the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba (Seven Seven) protests in Kenya. On that day in 1990, pro-democracy demonstrators filled the streets of Nairobi to challenge President Daniel arap Moi’s one-party regime. This year, the anniversary was not a commemoration—it was a continuation.

In recent weeks, protests have swept across Kenya; these protests have met with lethal state violence and mass arrests. The question now looms larger than ever: can Kenya break the cycle of repression—or will it repeat history, yet again?

Mayhem and Massacre Revisited

On June 25, 2025, 19 people were killed and hundreds injured as police opened fire on protestors. The demonstrations were sparked by the death of opposition blogger Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody and coincided with the anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill protests, during which at least 63 people were killed.

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Just two weeks later, on July 7 (Saba Saba Day), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported at least 31 more deaths, over 100 injuries, 532 arrests, and two forced disappearances. Police violence has become the state’s default response to public dissent.

‘Shoot the Legs’: Ruto’s Chilling Orders

President William Ruto, elected in 2022 on promises of reform, has instead responded to civil unrest with rhetoric of war. Blaming political opponents and labeling protesters as “terrorists,” he declared:

“Those who attack our police… that is a declaration of war. We are going to deal with you firmly… They shouldn’t kill them (protesters), but they should shoot their legs so they break, and they can go to hospital on their way to court.”

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Such remarks shocked many Kenyans and underscored the regime’s deepening authoritarian tendencies.

Broken Promises, Boiling Anger

Ruto rose to power vowing to uplift Kenya’s struggling masses—but Kenyans today are more disillusioned than ever. Youth unemployment is rampant, inflation bites hard, and corruption remains pervasive. What fuels these protests is not just outrage over one death—but anger over decades of economic despair and political betrayal.

Protest as a Constant—and a Crime

Kenya’s Constitution guarantees the right to protest under Article 37. This right is also enshrined in international treaties such as the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Yet, in practice, every Kenyan regime—from colonial rule to the current one—has criminalized protest. The cycle is tragically familiar: protest erupts, the state responds with brute force.

History of Repression and Resistance

1. Mau Mau Uprising (1951–1960): Anti-colonial revolt led by the Kikuyu, Meru, and Embu. Over 11,000 killed, 1 million displaced. It eventually paved the way for independence in 1963.

2. Jomo Kenyatta Era (1964–1978): Initial unity gave way to suppression of dissent. Protests followed political assassinations (Pinto, Mboya, Kariuki). The Kisumu Massacre (1969) saw security forces fire on protesters during Kenyatta’s visit.

3. Daniel arap Moi Era (1978–2002): Moi turned Kenya into a de jure one-party state. Student uprisings, an aborted coup, mass detentions, torture, and the watershed Saba Saba protest of 1990 eventually forced a return to multi-party democracy.

4. Mwai Kibaki Era (2002–2013): Initial optimism faded amid corruption and electoral fraud. Post-election violence in 2007 killed 1,100 and displaced 600,000.

5. Uhuru Kenyatta Era (2013–2022): Controversial elections sparked mass protests. The 2017 election annulment by the Supreme Court was historic but followed by more clashes and deaths.

6. William Ruto Era (2022–present): Disputed elections, protests against economic hardship, and the Gen Z-led 2024 Finance Bill uprising all mark Ruto’s troubled tenure. That uprising led to the storming of Parliament and dozens of deaths.

Back to Saba Saba, Once Again

Kenya is burning once more. The death of Albert Ojwang lit the fuse. On June 25, 2025, 16 people were killed across 27 counties. On July 7, another 31 fell.

But this is more than rage—it is remembrance. For many, these rallies aren’t only protests. They’re echoes of a long fight for freedom, democracy, and dignity.

Writing on the Wall

President Ruto is three years into his term. The next election is two years away. Between now and then, he must choose: reform or repression.

He must listen to the valid grievances of Kenya’s youth, address inequality, curb police brutality, and begin the hard work of healing a fractured nation. The police’s place is not on the streets terrorizing citizens—but in the barracks, serving the people.

If the government does not change course, it won’t just endanger Kenya—it may destabilise the region.

The author is a multi-disciplinary thought leader with Action Bias and an India based impact consultant. He is a keen watcher of changing national and international scenarios. He works as President Advisory Services of Consulting Company BARSYL. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.