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SABA SABA 2026 IN PICTURES;
Police officers stand by outside Parliament Buildings on July 7, 2026, during Saba Saba Day commemorations.
Text By; Dennis Onsongo
The Saba Saba protests held on 7 July 2026 commemorated the 36th anniversary of Kenya's pro-democracy movement while highlighting concerns over governance, police accountability, and constitutional rights. Protesters called for justice for victims of alleged police abuses and greater protection of the right to peaceful assembly. A heavy security deployment across Nairobi and other towns limited the scale of the demonstrations, prompting debate over the balance between public security and civil liberties.
Police on horseback patrol Harambee avenue in Nairobi during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2026.
A young man takes a rest on his metal cart parked along Kimathi Street on July 07, 2026, on the day of the commemoration of SabaSaba Day.
A man enjoys his breakfast while seated on a piece of stone along Tom Mboya Street on July 07, 2026, as city residents kept off the city center for fear of the SabaSaba Day commemoration protests called for by activists.
Police officers arrest a protester along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
Police officers arrest a protester along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
A convoy of police vehicles parked along Wabera street during the Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2026.
Police officers arrest a protester along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
Police officers arrest a protester along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations marking Saba Saba Day.
Police officers arrest protesters along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
Goats cross the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway at Free Area on July 7, 2026. As Kenya marked the annual Saba Saba commemoration, traffic along the Northern Corridor and activities across Nakuru remained largely uninterrupted, with normal operations continuing for most of the day
A human rights activist holds up a copy of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru City on July 7, 2026, during the annual Saba Saba commemoration. The activist called on the government to officially recognize the day and declare it a national public holiday.
Businesses operate as usual along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru City on July 7, 2026, as Kenya marked the annual Saba Saba commemoration. The city remained calm, with normal activities continuing for most of the day.
Commuters and traders are stranded at Githurai Roundabout after police sealed off the road to Nairobi CBD amid heightened tensions over anticipated Saba Saba anniversary protests.
Police officers mount a roadblock using stones during the Saba Saba anniversary protests on July 7, 2026.
Police officers redirect matatus while allowing other motorists to proceed at Githurai after partially closing a section of the Thika Superhighway amid heightened security and fears of possible Saba Saba anniversary protests.
Traffic flows smoothly at Allsops in Nairobi despite police mounting a roadblock with stones ahead of the anticipated Saba Saba anniversary protests. Motorists continue to pass through the area as security remains heightened.
Police officers patrol along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during the anticipated Saba Saba protests
A plainclothes policewoman runs after a protester along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day
Motorcycle riders wait for passengers along Moi Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during the Saba Saba protests
A protester writes a message on a placard along Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
Police officers arrest a protester along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
Light traffic is seen along Mombasa Road beneath the Nairobi Expressway in Nairobi on July 7, 2026, during the Saba Saba protests
Police officers patrol the streets of Nairobi on horseback on July 7, 2026, during demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba Day.
