Sabasaba 2025 Update: What Happened on July 7th?
In the wake of the 2025 Saba Saba protests, Kenya finds herself at a familiar crossroads – caught between voices of dissent and the ever-pressing call for law and order.
The National Police Service (NPS) has now issued a comprehensive update, shedding light on what transpired on July 7th, and what lies ahead.
The numbers are sobering:
- 11 lives lost.
- 52 police officers injured.
- 11 civilians wounded.
- 567 arrests made.
- Over a dozen vehicles damaged or destroyed.
Among those apprehended is Hon. Gitonga Mukunji, the sitting MP for Manyatta Constituency, highlighting the tense political undercurrents that marked this year’s Saba Saba.
While protests are a democratic right, the NPS was clear in its condemnation of the criminal elements that hijacked peaceful demonstrations – turning streets into scenes of looting, destruction, and violent confrontation.
In a country still healing from past protest-related traumas, this latest episode is a stark reminder of the delicate balance between civil liberties and public safety.
Yet amid the turmoil, there was commendation. The NPS saluted its officers for exercising “exceptional restraint and professionalism” even when provoked.
And perhaps more significantly, they praised the majority of Kenyans who chose peace over chaos – reaffirming the silent strength of a citizenry yearning for unity and stability.
But accountability will not rest with a press release.
Investigations are ongoing, and the NPS has invited the public to step forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of perpetrators still at large.
The toll-free #FichuakwaDCI line remains open – a reminder that security is, above all, a shared national duty.
In the days ahead, questions will be asked – about leadership, justice, and the space for dialogue in our democracy.
For now, Kenya must reckon with the cost of July 7th and chart a way forward – one that honors the lives lost while restoring the values we all hold dear: peace, order and nationhood.