This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
Kenya's Saba Saba Movement Celebrates 30 Years of Democracy ¶
July 7, 1990, marked a pivotal moment in Kenya's history when the Saba Saba movement was formed, paving the way for the reintroduction of multi-party democracy.
On the 30th anniversary of this historic event, various groups and civil society actors are celebrating through events lined up across the country.
Njeru Kathangu, one of the original Saba Saba coordinators, will lead a group of leaders to an event at the home of Prof Ngotho wa Kariuki, who has been sick.
Other original Saba Saba coordinators include Prof Edward Oyugi, the late Kariuki Gathitu, and the late George Anyona Moseti.
Some of the Young Turks, who fought for the reintroduction of multi-party democracy, and a consortium of civil society actors will meet at the historical Jumuia Conference Centre in Limuru for a People's Popular Initiative Convention.
Keynote speakers at the convention will include Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua, and renowned economist David Ndii.
Religious leaders and human rights defenders, including Ndung'u Wainaina, Regina Opondo, and Reverend Evans Omollo, will also attend the event.
According to organisers, this year's celebrations are themed 'Tekeleza Katiba, Boresha Maisha', aimed at creating a solid citizens' base for defending the Constitution and taking over political leadership.
The celebrations aim to take stock of constitutional reforms, political mobilisation, and citizen activism, amplifying strategies for mobilising citizen action for the capture of political leadership and bolstering people's energy in reclaiming their power, voice, and agency.
Another group of civil society groups will hold a people's march along Harambee Avenue.
The Saba Saba movement got its name from the date when its leading lights were to hold a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, only for police officers to disperse opposition supporters violently.
Many of them were later arrested and detained, including former minister Kennedy Matiba, former Nairobi Mayor Charles Rubia, and Raila Odinga.
The movement received the blessings of senior politicians such as Ahmed Salim Bamahriz, George Nthenge, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Phillip Gachoka, and Martin Shikuku, to the chagrin of Moi and Kanu.
Some of the leaders were in prison when the Constitution was amended in December 1991, paving the way for the 1992 multi-party elections in which a deeply fractured opposition lost to Moi.
