UN Demands Justice as Death Toll from Saba Saba Protests Rises to 31

Nairobi, Kenya – July 9, 2025

Mounting international and domestic outrage is intensifying pressure on President William Ruto’s administration after the killing of at least 31 protesters during the recent Saba Saba Day demonstrations, with the United Nations and top Kenyan human rights bodies now demanding swift accountability.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has confirmed the grim toll, adding that more than 100 people have been injured and over 500 detained in the wake of violent state crackdowns.

In a sharp statement from Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation, emphasizing that “the right to peaceful assembly must be protected, not punished.” The agency specifically urged the Kenyan government to prosecute all perpetrators of violence—including members of security forces—without delay.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s digital landscape is surging with fury. Gen-Z-led protest networks have vowed to escalate the demonstrations, declaring online that “Saba Saba is not a day—it’s a movement.” Their viral slogan, “Continue Until Victory,” has already sparked plans for renewed nationwide marches.

“We are not afraid,” said one young protester in a widely shared video. “Our brothers and sisters died for this cause. There must be justice.”

The silence from President Ruto, who has yet to issue a formal address regarding the killings, has only deepened the political crisis. Observers warn that the administration’s failure to engage transparently could inflame tensions even further and strain Kenya’s international partnerships.

“Kenya cannot afford to slide backwards on human rights,” said a senior legal advisor from Amnesty Kenya. “We need truth. We need accountability.”

As calls for justice grow louder, attention now turns to whether the government will heed these warnings—or risk alienating a generation demanding real reform.