This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 7, 2020, police in Nairobi cracked down on protesters marking the 30th Saba Saba day, a celebration of liberation struggle, constitutional reforms, and human rights.
Security had been beefed up at various locations in the city, with police fearing the march may turn violent and become a source of Covid-19 pandemic spread. The organizers, however, planned to congregate at Parliament Buildings with a theme of respect for the constitution.
Chaotic scenes were witnessed as police lobbed teargas to disperse protesters in the Nairobi Central Business District. Arrests were also reported in other areas, including Kibra, Kayole, and Kariobangi. At Mathare Justice Centre, activists engaged the police in running battles, with clouds of teargas engulfing the sky.
Kenyan citizens took to social media to express their outrage, with some sharing video clips of the protests under the hashtags #SabaSabaMatchforOurLives and #SabaSabaAt30. Victor Amadala tweeted, 'Teargas has become the weapon against those seeking any form of justice. History repeating itself, 30 years later. SHAME #SabaSabaAt30.'
Shikoh Kihika also shared a video of activists being arrested by police officers, stating, 'HRDs marching peacefully to mark #SabaSabaAt30 but have been arrested by @NPSOfficial_KE officers contravening article 37 of the constitution on freedom of assembly, picket, and to present petitions to public authorities #FreeHRDs.'
