Saba Saba may be over, but fight for justice isn't, rights group says
The organisation says families of the missing, arrested and injured still deserve answers and accountability.
by BRIAN CHEGEMA
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The Social Justice Centres Working Group has called for sustained efforts to pursue justice for people affected by the July 7 Saba Saba demonstrations, saying the end of the protests should not mark the end of accountability.
In a statement issued after the demonstrations, the group said that while the streets had become calm, many families were still dealing with the aftermath of the events.
"The streets may have quieted following the Saba Saba 2026 demonstrations, but the cries for justice continue to echo across our communities," the group said.
It added that for many families, the events of Saba Saba "did not end on 7 July" but continue in hospitals, police cells, courtrooms and homes where relatives have yet to return.
The organisation said it stands in unwavering solidarity with families of people it claims remain missing, those arrested during the demonstrations, people receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the protests and families grieving the loss of loved ones.
According to the statement, Saba Saba represents more than a historical date, describing it as a reminder that democracy depends on active citizen participation, constitutionalism, accountability and the protection of fundamental rights. The group also expressed concern over what it described as continued reports of alleged enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and the use of excessive force against citizens taking part in demonstrations. It said such actions, if confirmed, undermine public confidence in institutions and weaken the foundations of a democratic society governed by the rule of law. The organisation said it would continue documenting alleged human rights violations, supporting affected families and seeking accountability through legal and constitutional processes."Our commitment does not end when the demonstrations end," the statement said. "We will continue documenting human rights violations, supporting affected families, demanding independent investigations, and pursuing justice through every available legal and constitutional avenue."Addressing families searching for missing relatives, the group said they were not alone in their quest for answers."Your demand for truth is our demand. Your pursuit of justice is our collective responsibility," it said, adding that it would continue amplifying their voices "until every missing person is accounted for and every perpetrator of human rights violations is held accountable."The organisation further maintained that intimidation and violence would not replace democratic principles or silence citizens seeking accountability. It cited the Constitution of Kenya, saying it guarantees the rights to life, dignity, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and access to justice, describing them as rights that belong to every Kenyan. The group concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defending human rights, protecting civic space and advancing what it described as a Kenya where justice prevails over impunity, institutions serve the people and every life is valued equally. It also said the pursuit of justice extends beyond a single protest and is sustained through community organising, solidarity, legal advocacy and continued public participation.
