Lobby Group Notifies Police of Planned Saba Saba Protest

A Nairobi based lobby group has served the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies of a Sabasaba protest to be held on Tuesday, in Nairobi.

In the two-page notice, they have indicated the route to be used by about 3,000 participants who will be demanding for parliamentary intervention on extra-judicial killings, abductions among other ills.

The group has served the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Nairobi regional police commander and Central Police Station OCS, indicating the planned procession on Tuesday.

In the two- page notice, Grassroots Economic Justice Movement confirmed that about 1,000 to 3,000 participants are expected to march from Jevanjee Gardens, all the way to parliament buildings to present a petition.

The protest seeks to petition parliament to address a range of issues among them extra-judicial killings, forced disappearance, abductions and excessive use of force by police during peaceful protests.

The group however has insisted that the planned protests will remain peaceful throughout the day, and have dispatched volunteer marshals to help in crowd management. They have called the government to provide security during the procession.

This come even as ODM party distances itself from the protest saying their members will not be part of it. Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa while commenting on the planned protest said ODM will not participate in the march.

‘’We have said the government should provide security so people can continue with their work. Those who do casual labor should go because they earn money daily, because there are leaders who plan protests and then run away when that day comes. So, we are saying those who want to go should go and the police should give them protection,’’ said Aladwa.

Saba Saba day celebrates the drive for a multiparty democracy in 1990, and is often marked by those pushing for structured change.

Last year’s Saba Saba commemoration was marred with deadly protest, destruction of properties and even deaths when Gen Z poured into the street to demand for accountability, good governance, an end to police brutality, and action on the high cost of living.

With all these demands yet to be fully addressed by the government, what's your view on the planned protest? Will it bear fruits? Let's hear your from you in the comment section.