Nairobi – As tension grips parts of Kenya ahead of the anticipated Saba Saba protests, a group of university student leaders is calling on young people to steer clear of political manipulation and reject incitement to violence.
Speaking at the University of Nairobi on Sunday, Multimedia University student leader Remmy Osoti led a group of student representatives from various institutions in urging for calm. The leaders voiced concern over what they termed as the hijacking of the Gen Z movement by political actors with ulterior motives.
“We stand for peaceful civic engagement,” said Osoti. “The original intent of our movement was reform and accountability not chaos, not destruction. We refuse to be used to serve personal or political interests.”
The call comes amid heightened security in Nairobi and other towns across the country, with heavy police presence reported along major roads and near government buildings. Authorities say the security deployment is a precautionary measure to prevent unrest during Monday’s demonstrations.
In Thika town, business owners are preparing for the worst after suffering losses during recent protests. Many shops remained closed on Sunday, with traders citing fears of looting and vandalism.
“We cannot afford another day of destruction,” said Alfred Wanyoike, Chairperson of the Thika District Business Association. “The youth must understand that destroying businesses is not a form of protest. It’s economic sabotage.”
Wanyoike’s remarks followed recent demonstrations that left shopfronts broken and goods looted, forcing dozens of traders to suspend operations. Similar concerns have emerged in Juja, where shopkeepers have fortified entrances and coordinated security among themselves.
Local police have assured residents and traders of heightened surveillance and rapid response teams to address any incidents. A senior officer in Kiambu County confirmed that plainclothes officers would be deployed to monitor protest routes and act swiftly against any form of unrest.
Saba Saba Day, observed annually on July 7, marks a critical moment in Kenya’s democratic journey. On this day in 1990, protesters defied a repressive regime to demand the return of multi-party democracy, leading to mass arrests and injuries. Today, it remains a symbol of civic resistance and political awakening.
But for many of today’s youth, that legacy is being challenged by calls for disruptive protests that have increasingly turned violent. The student leaders at Sunday’s briefing stressed the importance of honoring the spirit of Saba Saba through constructive, peaceful action.
“This is not about destroying what belongs to us,” said Osoti. “This is about creating a future we can all live in. Peacefully, intelligently, and together.”
As the country prepares for Monday’s protests, the message from the students is clear: Kenya’s youth must resist being turned into instruments of chaos and instead champion the values of peace and democratic expression.
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