ODM party leader Raila Odinga is set to address the nation at 4 PM today in a press conference at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi. The statement, announced by his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, comes amid a wave of youth-led protests and heightened security across Kenya on the occasion of Saba Saba Day.
Details of Odinga’s statement remain under wraps, but anticipation is high as the country grapples with widespread demonstrations, primarily driven by the Gen Z movement demanding government accountability, economic reforms, and an end to police brutality.
Earlier, Odinga had called upon Kenyans to gather at Kamukunji Grounds at 3 PM to honour the anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests that took place on July 7, 1990. In a weekend press briefing, the veteran opposition leader emphasized that many of the grievances that sparked the original pro-democracy movement—human rights violations, economic inequality, and police brutality—remain unresolved to this day.
“We have not achieved what Saba Saba intended,” Odinga stated. “Violation of human rights is still a challenge in the country, police brutality is there and the economy has not performed as we expected.”
Today’s Saba Saba commemorations have been marked by tension in multiple towns including Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kisumu. In Nairobi’s Kangemi area, one person is suspected to have been shot during the protests. The incident, captured by eyewitnesses, showed the victim lying motionless on the ground as a crowd began to gather.
By early afternoon, the Nairobi Central Business District was nearly deserted. Most businesses had closed, and both pedestrian and vehicular movement were minimal as police blocked key streets to prevent mass gatherings. Similar scenes were reported in Mombasa where security forces disrupted planned protests.
As the clock ticks toward Raila’s address, many Kenyans are waiting to hear whether he will offer solidarity with the youth-led Gen Z protests and what message he will send to the government amid growing public frustration.
His remarks are expected to have significant political implications as the country faces a new wave of civic awakening reminiscent of the historic Saba Saba movement.
