By: Caroline Boyani
History is bound to repeat itself if lessons are ignored and recommendations are not applied. Saba Saba
Day marked every July 7, got its significance from the Saba Saba movement in 1990, where people took
to the streets and was characterized by running battles between protestors and anti-riot police in tear-
gas-filled air. This was after members of the opposition at the time called for a historic rally at
Kamukunji Grounds for liberation from a one-party dictatorship.
The then generation of democratic activists was fighting for multipartism in Kenya. This led to a
delegates' conference in December 1991 of the ruling party KANU, whereby the late President Daniel
Arap Moi announced the repeal of Section 2A. After more than two decades, Kenya had gone back to
being a multiparty state.
Over the years, this significant day has been commemorated with demonstrations against injustices
committed by the government against its citizens, and they were mostly led by the opposition and
human rights organizations. We witnessed how chaotic the demonstrations turned out, with the hope
that the government heard our cries.
This year's Saba Saba Day was epic in that, instead of demonstrations, the youth (Gen Z) and millennials
got together in Uhuru Park in memory of the lives lost during the Reject Finance Bill 2024
demonstrations, singing songs of hope and sending a straight message to the president and the
members of Parliament who voted for the Bill to step down due to their impunity.
The youth have continued the legacy of activism and pursuing their democratic rights, but more
effectively by using digital means for dialogue, such as X spaces, where they brainstorm and share ideas,
as well as plan demonstrations. Additionally, they share information through WhatsApp channels for
guidance. The uniting factor is that repression by the government has affected all youths generally
through lack of employment, exorbitant taxes, and huge loans that they will have to pay back, along
with the coming generations.
Realizing that they have a voice and it matters, they have paved the way for reforms. Standing by their
slogan "partyless, tribeless, and leaderless," they are willing to destroy anything that stands between
them and exercise their democratic rights. Despite some of them being injured, killed, and abducted,
they have sworn not to relent until the country has been liberated. Their bravery was seen in how they
invaded Parliament and campaigned against churches being politicized.
The president seems to heed their demands, as he disbanded his cabinet and refused to sign the Finance
Bill into law. This new age of revolutionists is fueled by hope and love for their country and will not stop
at anything until the country is liberated from oppression. The struggle continues, but the world shall
realize that power belongs to the people.
