What happened during the Saba Saba protests?
Kenya’s Saba Saba demonstrations on July 7 marked the deadliest protest day in the country’s recent history, with 32 people losing their lives in a single day. This tragic figure pushed the national protest death toll to 115 over the past year, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The protests, which started in 2024 over finance-related grievances, have now spiraled into a broader national crisis over police brutality and government accountability.
Among the victims was 24-year-old Edwin Ndamberi from Kutus, Kirinyaga, who was fatally shot by police during the demonstration. “Tulikuwa pale Co-operative Bank hapo kwa junction, alikuwa amesimama hapo, polisi akaanza kurusha teargas, tukaanza kumove lakini Edwin hakumove. Kuna police mama mkubwa niliona alikuwa ame-aim, na ni yeye alishoot. Risasi ikapata Edwin kwa kichwa,” recalled his cousin, who witnessed the shooting. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Edwin did not survive.
How many people have died or been injured in the protests?
Since June 2024, Kenya has witnessed a wave of demonstrations that have claimed the lives of 115 individuals. The KNCHR reports that 62 people died between June 2024 and February 2025. Another 21 were killed during protests on June 25, 2025, and 32 more during this year’s Saba Saba commemoration. The causes of death have been identified mostly as gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma. Over 1,000 others have suffered various injuries, many still recovering months after their encounters with police.
The latest figures highlight a growing crisis. What began with the suspicious death of teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody in early 2024 ignited national outrage. It triggered widespread protests, demanding transparency and justice. Then came the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, an unarmed street vendor, caught on camera as a police officer took aim and fired. Boniface died a week later.
Why is the police force under scrutiny again?
Saba Saba’s anniversary was meant to be a moment of remembrance, but it ended in bloodshed and renewed scrutiny of Kenya’s security forces. The use of live bullets and extreme force has raised serious concerns about the government’s approach to civil dissent. Among those killed was 17-year-old Ian Opango, one of many young voices silenced during the nationwide protests.
With each protest turning increasingly fatal, calls for reform are growing louder. The data released by KNCHR is not just a record of lives lost; it’s a warning sign. For many families, like Edwin’s, the wounds are fresh, and justice remains elusive.
By Yockshard Enyendi