Saba Saba Protests: Reactions as Armed Men Rough Up 2 Protesters, Force Them into Unmarked Subaru
- Kenyans commemorate Saba Saba annually on July 7, marking the 1990 protests calling for political reforms
- The 2025 Saba Saba protests in Nairobi descended into chaos, with anti-riot police clashing with protesters
- A video showed two young protesters being beaten and forcibly detained by plainclothes armed men, sparking mixed reactions
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Kenyans across various counties marked Saba Saba, a day commemorating the historic protests of July 7, 1990, when citizens took to the streets to demand political reforms and an end to human rights abuses.
Source: Facebook
Over the years, Saba Saba has evolved into a powerful symbol of resistance and civic engagement.
On July 7, 2025, the day descended into chaos as anti-riot police officers engaged in running battles with protesters. The Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) was heavily cordoned off, with residents barred from entering and businesses remaining closed.
However, chaos erupted in different parts of the city, with reports of people being shot dead and others sustaining injuries.
Nairobi protesters forced into Subaru by plainclothes officers
A video circulating online captured a disturbing scene involving two young men being roughed up and beaten by armed men believed to be police officers in plain clothes.
One of the men, dressed in grey trousers and a black shirt, was seen being dragged along an estate road and assaulted by one of the officers while others watched.
Another armed man opened the back of a waiting unmarked vehicle, allowing his colleagues to force the men inside. The second protester was held and pushed into the back of the unmarked Subaru Outback.
The men were beaten with rods before the boot was closed. The officers then boarded the vehicle and drove away.
The incident occurred near Mogas Filling Station along Jogoo Road in Nairobi during the Saba Saba protests.
Source: Facebook
Netizens react to Saba Saba abductions
Netizens expressed shock and concern, questioning police tactics, the use of unmarked vehicles, and calling for peace amid ongoing violence and arrests.
Simpson Ochieng:
“I do wonder if the arrests are always genuine, why do they normally hide number plates?”
Lameck Mong’are:
“They just passed through Rongai with a motorcade of nearly 10 Subarus driving at high speed while shooting in the air.”
Stand Kibe:
“Boss, let’s not sugarcoat this nonsense. Protests are dangerous; people will die, and nothing will be done. So far, I think the toll is heading to around 150 since last year. Let’s call for a ceasefire.”
Sammy Mrisho Momanyi:
“In Kenya, everyone acts like a DCI. They probably thought there were no CCTV cameras around.”
Wuod Asego:
“Protesting isn’t wrong, but some youths have turned it into a day of looting—they don’t even fear getting caught anymore.”
Police serve tea and bread to protesters during Saba Saba
In related news, TUKO.co.ke reported that, amid the tension during the Saba Saba demonstrations, police officers shared a meal with Kenyans.
The unusual moment stood out, with the video quickly going viral and sparking heartwarming reactions.
The officers, who were deployed along the Thika Superhighway, shared tea, bread, and boiled eggs with both journalists and demonstrators.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
