Nairobi, July 7, 2025 -(LM) Kenyan police clashed with protesters during widespread anti-government demonstrations on Monday, as authorities blocked major roads into Nairobi and businesses around the capital shut down.
Protesters lit bonfires and hurled stones at law enforcement, who responded with tear gas, resulting in injuries to at least one demonstrator. Witnesses from the Associated Press reported seeing an injured individual being carried away by fellow protesters, who chanted against police actions.
The demonstrations were organized to protest police brutality, poor governance, and to call for the resignation of President William Ruto amid allegations of corruption and rising living costs. July 7, known as Saba Saba, holds historical significance in Kenya, marking the anniversary of the first major protests 35 years ago that advocated for a transition from a one-party state to a multiparty democracy, achieved in the 1992 elections.
Roadblocks were set up to prevent both private and public vehicles from accessing the city center, with police restricting pedestrian access to only those with essential duties.
“There is no reversing the Gen Z Saba Saba-like spirit,” stated Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at the United States International University Africa in Nairobi. He added, “Attempting to criminalize protests is reactive and will not work. It makes the government appear retrogressive and desperate enough to subvert the constitution.”
Public Service Minister Geoffrey Ruku urged all government employees to report to work, insisting that the demonstrations would not disrupt public services. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen warned on Sunday that the government would not tolerate violent protests and vowed police presence to ensure public safety.
Barricades made of razor wire were erected on roads leading to the country’s parliament and the president’s office, further escalating tensions in the capital.
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