Those Responsible Must be Condemned - Omtatah Slams Gov’t Over Saba Saba Protest Violence

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has called out the government following violent scenes that unfolded during Saba Saba Day protests on Monday, July 7.

In a statement, he invoked Kenya’s independence struggle, noting that the country's forefathers envisioned a government anchored in the values of human rights and democracy.

"Sixty-two years ago, our forefathers courageously fought for Kenya's independence, giving birth to a new nation founded on the principles of liberty, equality, and justice. 

"They envisioned a government anchored in the values of human rights, democracy, social justice, and the rule of law—a promise that remains the bedrock of our Republic," he said.

With this year's Saba Saba Day overshadowed by police violence, Omtatah denounced the state’s heavy-handed approach, insisting that it must be called out.

"Today, our nation faces a profound test—a moment of upheaval that challenges whether a democracy so conceived can endure the storms of unconstitutionality and state-sponsored violence.

"The brutal crackdown on peaceful citizens of Kenya during the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, a day symbolizing the very foundation of our democratic struggle, must be unequivocally condemned," he added.

Omtatah went further to call for accountability for those behind the crackdown. 

He also criticized what he described as a growing pattern of constitutional violations, warning that normalization of such tactics would endanger Kenya’s democratic future.

"Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable under the full weight of the law. To allow such egregious violations to go unpunished would be a grave betrayal of our nation's ideals.

“The recent actions marked by blatant disregard for the Constitution and the de facto imposition of martial law demand immediate and resounding condemnation from all Kenyans and the international community. We cannot and must not normalize the suppression of fundamental rights or the use of violence to silence dissent," he concluded.

Earlier Monday, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) condemned what it described as the unlawful conduct of law enforcement officers, accusing police of violating a court order requiring officers managing protests to be in uniform and clearly identifiable.

“The KNCHR has noted that the police have continued to flagrantly disregard a High Court order mandating that all officers managing demonstrations be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times.

"The Commission observed numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, traveling in unmarked vehicles while patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado, and Nakuru counties," KNCHR stated.

The commission also raised the alarm over the presence of armed criminal gangs in Eldoret and Nairobi cities operating alongside police.

“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," the statement added.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), a total of 567 individuals were arrested on Monday, July 7, following widespread unrest during the Saba Saba Day.

Additionally, NPS noted that the protests left 11 people dead, and 52 police officers injured, and led to significant property damage.

NPS said 12 police vehicles, three government vehicles, and four civilian vehicles were damaged during the skirmishes.