Safina party leader Jimi Wanjigi has expressed his support for the Gen Z protests that are currently spreading across Kenya. He also confirmed that he will actively participate in the upcoming Saba Saba demonstrations.
During an interview on Spice FM, Wanjigi talked about the history of Saba Saba and how important it is to be remembered. He urged Kenyans to show up on that day in unity.
“This Saba Saba is phenomenal, it marked the second liberation, when young people stood up and fought. We must mark it,” he said.He also honoured those who died during the June 2024 anti–Finance Bill protests, in which over 60 young Kenyans reportedly lost their lives.
Wanjigi pointed to these events as proof that the current protests are beyond one bill and that they represent a generational demand for a better Kenya
“Last year, the Gen Z rose for economic reforms. It wasn’t just about the Finance Bill; it was about their stolen future, and the nation's current state, which reflects decline rather than progress," he said.He also drew a historical parallel between Kenya’s previous struggles and the current wave of activism, stating that the Gen Z movement is the third chapter in the country’s liberation journey.
“The first revolution was Mau Mau, taking land from the coloniser. The second was Saba Saba, breaking one-party rule and restrictions on free speech. Now we have the third: the Gen Z movement. Bold, fearless, and set to reshape our future,” Wanjigi remarked.Saba Saba Day is observed annually on 7th July. This day commemorates the 1990 pro-democracy protests led by activists like Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia against President Moi’s KANU regime. That uprising played a crucial role in the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in Kenya.
Wanjigi’s words echo what many observers describe as a national turning point where Gen Z citizens are demanding real-time accountability and reforms from leaders.
Wanjigi’s vocal support for this year’s event comes as young Kenyans increasingly mobilise through social media and street protests.
