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Kenyan authorities blocked major roads in Nairobi on Monday as the country marked the anniversary of the July 7 pro democracy protests known as “Saba Saba” meaning seven seven in Kiswahili. The event commemorates the 1990 movement that challenged the one party rule of then President Daniel arap Moi and demanded a return to multiparty democracy. This year’s anniversary comes amid a surge in youth-led protests fueled by widespread frustration over economic stagnation corruption and police brutality. Last month’s demonstrations turned violent leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed. Protesters have accused the government of hiring armed vandals to discredit the movement while officials likened the protests to an attempted coup. On Monday Nairobi’s streets were unusually quiet as police set up roadblocks to prevent access to the city center. Many businesses closed for the day. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that security agencies were on high alert to prevent violence and property destruction. The government’s heavy handed response was criticized by activists. Hanifa Aden a leading protest voice mocked the shutdown as a forced holiday on social media while others decried the state’s suppression of free assembly. Tensions escalated further after men armed with sticks disrupted a Sunday news conference by the Kenyan Human Rights Commission which was calling for an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. The June death of Albert Ojwang a teacher and blogger who died in police custody has become a rallying point for demonstrators. Prosecutors have charged six individuals including three police officers with his murder. All pleaded not guilty. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights at least 80 people have died and dozens more have been illegally detained during protests since June 2024. President William Ruto remains politically secure having allied with opposition leader Raila Odinga leaving no clear challenger for the 2027 election.
See also: South African Police Clash Over Alleged Political Interference in Murder Probes
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