Opposition leaders from the Mt. Kenya region under the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP) have accused President William Ruto’s administration of orchestrating violence during the 35th Saba Saba Day commemorations held on Monday, July 7, across the country.
In a strongly worded statement, the leaders alleged that the violence witnessed in various counties was stage-managed by the government to suppress dissent and intimidate citizens ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”The cowardly regime is testing what they can do in August 2027. Mr. President, Saba Saba is nothing new in Kenya. It is repugnant to treat young innocent and harmless Kenyans as criminals and send goons and your police to loot and kill. Let Kenyans enjoy the fruits of Saba Saba,” the DCP leaders stated.
They further called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take immediate action against high-ranking government officials, including President Ruto, accusing him of committing crimes against humanity both locally and internationally.”We call for strict sanctions on President William Ruto by the international community for this and many crimes he has committed in other countries, including the war in Sudan.
He has committed crimes against humanity,” they declared.The leaders also demanded accountability from the police, calling on the Speaker of the National Assembly to summon the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja to explain the deployment of officers in unmarked vehicles and in plain clothes, which they claim violates a standing court order requiring officers to be in uniform while handling protests.“Unmarked Subaru vehicles were spotted indiscriminately shooting at people in Nairobi, Kajiado, and Kiambu counties. These officers were covering their faces and using assault rifles to unleash terror in residential areas,” they said.
They questioned the official casualty figures, claiming the reported number of 11 deaths may be underestimated. “We demand to know the exact number of Kenyans who died yesterday. Bodies were seen lying on roads across the country. The 11 persons being taunted might just be another hoax.”
The DCP leaders condemned what they described as state-sponsored brutality and urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to halt targeted attacks on innocent civilians.
Saba Saba Day, historically associated with Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy, was marked this year by widespread protests led by Gen Z youth calling for government accountability, reforms, and justice.
