A cloud of anxiety hangs over Kenya as the country braces for nationwide Saba Saba protests scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025. In a move prompted by safety concerns, several schools have taken the precautionary step of closing their doors and advising learners to stay home.
Citizen Digital reports that at least 20 schools, including Consolata School, Premier Academy, Thika Road Christian School, Laiser Hill Academy, St. Jude Early School, and Paddington School, have issued communiqués notifying parents of the closures. Some institutions have opted to roll out remote learning materials to ensure academic continuity ahead of upcoming End of Term examinations.
“To ensure that learning continues uninterrupted, our teachers will prepare adequate academic work aligned to their regular timetable,” a statement from Consolata School read. Premier Academy cited the “prevailing uncertainties surrounding the day” as the main reason for the closure.
The Saba Saba protests commemorate the historic demonstrations of July 7, 1990, when Kenyans marched in demand for free elections and multiparty democracy. This year, the protests come amid heightened political tensions and a string of violent clashes between demonstrators and police. At least a dozen youth have been fatally shot during recent anti-government protests, sparking national and international concern.
In Mombasa, Central Police Station OCS Sylvester Wambua declined to approve a notice for a protest and commemorative concert, citing intelligence reports of planned infiltration by criminal elements. This follows controversial remarks by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who issued shoot-on-sight orders for anyone attempting to attack police stations—a directive that has drawn significant backlash.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has appealed for calm and restraint. In a Sunday statement, the council condemned the excessive use of force and urged police to uphold the law and protect the rights of peaceful demonstrators as enshrined in the Constitution and the National Police Service Act.
As the nation prepares for Monday’s demonstrations, all eyes are on the security agencies, whose response will be critical in shaping the tone of this year’s Saba Saba commemorations.
