Nairobi, Kenya – The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a stern and unequivocal warning to organizers and participants of the July 7 Saba Saba protests, declaring that any acts of violence, looting, or attempts to breach protected state facilities will be met with swift and severe legal action.

In a statement released on July 6, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga reaffirmed that while the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the constitution, individuals engaging in criminal conduct will face full accountability. “Anyone found carrying weapons or committing acts of vandalism will be treated as having committed serious offenses, punishable by detention and prosecution,” Nyaga stated.

The police emphasized that their response will be “proportional and lawful,” guided by the provisions of the Public Order Act. However, the tone of the warning reflects growing government anxiety amid a surge of youth-led demonstrations and a tense national atmosphere.

The statement follows the violent protests of June, which saw extensive property damage and deadly confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. As a result, the government has deployed a heavy security presence across Nairobi, particularly around key infrastructure and government buildings.

With roadblocks, surveillance, and riot units already in place, the police have made it clear they are prepared to act decisively against any incitement, sabotage, or attacks. Still, the hardline messaging has prompted concern among civil society groups, who argue that such preemptive crackdowns risk criminalizing dissent and chilling constitutionally protected freedoms.

As Kenya marks Saba Saba Day—a day rooted in the fight for democracy—the tension between security enforcement and civic expression remains a central issue for both the state and the streets.