July 7 or Saba Saba is more than just a date. It’s the day Kenyans first took to the streets in 1990, demanding a voice in how the country was run.
At the time, Kenya was a one-party state. Speaking out could get you arrested or even worse but political leaders like Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia still called for a public rally in Nairobi’s Kamukunji Grounds. The government banned it. Police arrested the organisers. Still, people showed up.
What followed was chaos. Police came down hard. Teargas. Batons. Live bullets. Dozens were hurt. At least 20 people were killed. But the people didn’t back down.
That moment changed everything. A year later, the law was changed to allow multiparty politics. It wasn’t a perfect win, but it was the start of something bigger.
Now, every year on Saba Saba, Kenyans remember that day not just to honour the past, but to speak up about what still isn’t right. From police violence to corruption, the issues are still here.
For many young people, especially Gen Z, the message is clear: if change came once, it can come again but only if people are willing to fight for it.
