- Historically, Saba Saba symbolized resistance, civil courage, and democratic aspirations. But today, there’s a clear disconnect with Gen Z.
Political analyst Dr. Michael Ndonye opines that Saba Saba has served its generation and should die. Speaking during a recent discussion on The Political Oracle, a segment of the TalkChat Podcast, Dr. Ndonye asserts that the June 25th anniversary is likely to replace Saba Saba.
“Towards June 25th, there was a narrative that it is going to replace Saba Saba. I don’t think there is a future of Saba Saba. It had nothing to do with Gen Zs. If they were there, it was either an overflow of what happened in June 25th or were paid to do that,” he said.
Dr. Michael’s sentiments come in the wake of Saba Saba 2025, which saw property destroyed, lives lost, and others injured.
Originally celebrated on July 7, 1990, Saba Saba was a day of defiance against government, protesting one-party rule in Kenya.
Among the opposition leaders who led it were Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenneth Matiba, and Charles Rubia. They called for a rally at Kamukunji Grounds to demand multiparty democracy.
The rally was banned, but thousands defied the order. The government responded with brutal force—leading to arrests, detentions without trial, and deaths.
The protests pressured the Moi regime to repeal Section 2A of the Constitution in 1991, legalizing opposition parties. It sparked mass arrests and birthed a civil society that energized youth activism.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has long been part of the Saba Saba legacy, but in 2025, things changed. According to Dr. Ndonye, the shift shocked the nation. Why?
“In a de facto way, Raila is in government. And Saba Saba being a resistance to the government, and for him saying he was commemorating the Saba Saba, it was seen as a kind of resisting the orders of the government to stop the protests,” he said.
Dr. Ndonye interprets this in two ways: either Raila was among those organizing the Saba Saba protest, or he defied his own government.
“If you go by the second assumption, Ruto and Raila must have talked,” he said.
“How Raila became part of it is something we need to look at from different perspectives to analyse it,” he added.
According to Dr Ndonye, Raila could be playing politics—by criticizing or contradicting the government now, only to endorse President William Ruto later.
“As we speak, no one seems to favor protests. Saba Saba brought more destruction and loss of life than June 25th. It is Saba Saba that has given the government license to crack down on any future protests,” he added.
Historically, Saba Saba symbolized resistance, civil courage, and democratic aspirations. But today, there’s a clear disconnect with Gen Z.
“We did not see a lot of excitement from Gen Z. The generation that is here now knows very little about Saba Saba—especially in terms of direct involvement. Saba Saba is two generations old.”
It resurfaced at a time when Gen Z were actively engaging in June 25th anniversary protests, which also resulted in loss of life and destruction of property.
“It had nothing to do with Gen Zs. It had everything to do with civil society, the NGOs, and the contest between them and the government.”
Even though Saba Saba has historically been a moment of defiance, 2025 introduced an entirely different dynamic.
“When Raila talks about the conclave that brings together youth, civil society, and others to tackle the country’s issues—it doesn’t align, because the government itself can tackle those issues,” Dr Ndonye says.
Political milestones like Saba Saba and June 25th are often appropriated by politicians to consolidate power and influence—to brand themselves.
But as Dr Ndonye opines, It has served its generations. And it should die.
