Petition to Parliament to focus on alleged extrajudicial killings, police accountability and protection of constitutional rights.
Organisers of the planned Saba Saba demonstrations have formally notified the National Police Service (NPS) of their intention to stage a peaceful public procession and present a petition to Parliament on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
The notification, dated July 5, was submitted by Francis Awino, the National Convenor of Mtetezi (Grassroots Economic Justice Movement), in compliance with Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
According to the notice, participants are expected to gather at Jeevanjee Gardens from 8:00 a.m. before beginning a procession through Nairobi’s Central Business District at 9:00 a.m. The march will culminate at Parliament Buildings, where organisers intend to submit a petition to the Speakers of both the National Assembly and the Senate.
Awino stated that the procession is aimed at exercising the constitutional right to petition Parliament on issues of national importance.
The organisers estimate that between 1,000 and 3,000 people will participate in the event. Those expected to attend include members of civil society organisations, youth groups, human rights defenders, religious leaders, professionals, students and other members of the public.
The petition calls on Parliament to address allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and excessive use of force by security agencies. It also urges lawmakers to strengthen police accountability, improve oversight institutions and enhance safeguards for constitutional rights and the rule of law.
In addition, the organisers are seeking legislative reforms that would reinforce accountability mechanisms and provide stronger oversight of law enforcement agencies.
The notification assures authorities that the demonstration will remain peaceful, orderly and unarmed, with volunteer marshals deployed to assist in crowd management and coordination throughout the procession.
Organisers also pledged to work closely with police to ensure public safety and appealed to the National Police Service to provide adequate security and traffic management to facilitate the constitutional exercise.
The notice was addressed to the Inspector General of Police, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, the Officer Commanding Police Division (Central), and the Officer Commanding Station at Central Police Station. Copies were also forwarded to the Speakers of Parliament, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Observed annually on July 7, Saba Saba commemorates the 1990 pro-democracy demonstrations that pushed for the restoration of multiparty democracy and broader constitutional reforms. The day has since become a significant platform for citizens and civil society organisations to peacefully express concerns over governance, human rights and other national issues.
