The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has confirmed that 10 individuals tragically lost their lives during the Saba Saba anniversary demonstrations, which unfolded across seventeen counties in the country on July 7, 2025.

Additionally, the Commission has documented 29 cases of injuries, 2 incidents of abduction, and 37 arrests directly linked to the protests.

In their official statement released on the same day, Monday, July 7, 2025, the Commission highlighted that extensive police barricades were strategically positioned on major highways and entry points, particularly in Nairobi, causing severe disruption to the movement of ordinary citizens.

“The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is closely monitoring the ongoing situation as the country commemorates the historic Saba Saba Day. As of 1830hrs today, the Commission had documented ten (10) fatalities, twenty-nine (29) injuries, and two (2) cases of abductions,” the KNCHR statement read in part.

The KNCHR further observed that a significant number of businesses nationwide opted to remain closed amid escalating fears of looting and destruction.

The Commission reported confirmed incidents of looting in six counties, with the Kerugoya Central Constituency Development Fund office being deliberately set ablaze by suspected criminal elements.

It also reported that educational institutions across the nation were largely paralysed, with most schools shutting their doors, thereby obstructing the continuity of learning during this critical period.

“Numerous businesses nationwide remained closed due to fears of looting and destruction. Looting incidents were reported in six (6) counties, and the Kerugoya Central CDF office was set ablaze by suspected criminal elements. Learning was paralysed across the country as most schools and educational institutions remained closed.”

Healthcare services, the commission also reported, were severely impacted, as patients faced substantial difficulties accessing medical facilities due to the extensive road closures.

Public transportation, encompassing air and rail services, suffered significant disruptions, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and unable to reach their destinations.

“The Commission received distress calls from patients unable to access health facilities due to road closures. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at roadblocks as public transport, including air and rail, was severely disrupted.”

The Commission expressed grave concern regarding the blatant disregard by police for a High Court injunction mandating that all officers engaged in crowd control during demonstrations must be clad in official uniforms and remain identifiable at all times.

“We have observed numerous hooded officers operating in unmarked vehicles across Nairobi, Kajiado, and Nakuru counties, flagrantly violating the court’s order,” the statement noted.

Moreover, the KNCHR raised alarms over the disturbing presence of criminal gangs brandishing crude weapons, including whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows, and arrows, active in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, and Eldoret.

Disturbingly, these hooded gangs, the commission lamented, were witnessed operating in tandem with police officers in certain locales, exacerbating the volatile security situation.

“Additionally, the presence of criminal gangs wielding crude weapons, including whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows and arrows, was noted in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Eldoret. In Nairobi and Eldoret, these hooded gangs were seen operating alongside police officers.”

Office attacks

The Commission unequivocally condemned the brutal attack on the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, where hired assailants subjected staff and innocent civilians exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and expression to violence.

Journalists covering the incident were also subjected to harassment and robbery.

The KNCHR called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the masterminds and perpetrators of this attack, underscoring that the individuals were clearly identified on CCTV footage.

“The Commission further condemns the attack yesterday by hired thugs who raided the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), brutalizing staff and innocent members of the public lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and expression. Journalists covering the event at KHRC were also harassed and robbed.”

Expressing deep concern about the recent escalation in harassment and persecution of human rights defenders, the Commission revealed that over twenty bona fide human rights defenders have been beaten, arrested, charged, or summoned by police to record statements in the past week alone.

It implored the government to immediately cease the harassment of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and the criminalisation of legitimate human rights work.