Many Kenyans will today mark Saba Saba.
On July 7, 1990, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to demand the return of multiparty democracy and fair elections.
The protests were called by leaders Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, who were arrested days before the demonstrations.
What followed was a brutal crackdown. Many lives were lost in 1990, and again in 1997 during commemorations.
Saba Saba should always serve as a reminder of the heavy price paid for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. It should never be used for political showdowns or violence.
Today’s commemoration must be peaceful, respectful, and free of anarchy—whether from the police, hired goons, or rogue protesters.
Let us not forget the lessons of the past.
Freedom of expression and assembly are constitutional rights, and they must be protected. But they must also be exercised with responsibility.
Sadly, over the years, we have witnessed how protests are sometimes hijacked by criminal elements, or how state agencies respond with unnecessary force.
This cycle only dishonours the memory of those who stood for justice in 1990.
The government must guarantee the safety and rights of citizens tomorrow. At the same time, citizens must resist the temptation to turn this day into a battlefield for other grievances.
There is power in peaceful remembrance. Let Saba Saba remain a day of reflection, not of fear.
Quote of the Day: "History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are."
American historian David McCullough was born on July 7, 1933
