Activist Muteti Mulinge has declared that Tuesday, July 7, 2026, will be treated as a public holiday by protesters participating in the planned Saba Saba demonstrations.

Mulinge spoke to a local TV station on Sunday, July 6, 2026, and urged supporters to forgo their usual activities and instead join demonstrations to present a petition on governance and human rights concerns.

“On Saba Saba, let me take this opportunity to declare that the 7th of July 2026 will be a public holiday. I have said it; we have said it.

Kila mtu akae nyumbani na kama unatoka, utoke ukuje kwa street,” Mulinge said.

He stated that demonstrators intended to present a petition calling for an end to extrajudicial killings, abductions, and enforced disappearances.

“Tuende kupeleka petition ya kusema extrajudicial killings must end and abductions and enforced disappearances must end.

“We must be clear that the struggle is not over. The oppressed and poor people of this country must come together and capture political power,” he added.

There has been no declaration by the Kenyan government to gazette July 7, 2026, as a public holiday.

What is Saba Saba?

Saba Saba, meaning ‘Seven Seven’ in Kiswahili, is observed annually on July 7 and traces its origins to the pro-democracy movement of July 7, 1990.

On that day, opposition leaders and civil society groups called for constitutional reforms and the restoration of multi-party democracy, marking one of the country’s defining moments in its democratic journey.

Over the years, Saba Saba has evolved into a day when activists, civil society organisations and some political groups hold demonstrations or public events to highlight governance, constitutional, economic and human rights issues.

This year’s planned protests come amid continued public debate over the cost of living, governance, police conduct and accountability.

The National Police Service has previously stated that it remains committed to facilitating peaceful and lawful assemblies while urging organisers and participants to comply with the Constitution and the Public Order Act.

Authorities have also appealed to the public to maintain peace and avoid acts of violence or destruction of property during public demonstrations.