Fear of violence, injuries and alleged abductions kept residents and human rights activists off the streets in Kisumu during this year’s Saba Saba commemorations
The campaigners said the unusual calm reflected concerns over safety rather than public satisfaction.
The lakeside city, which has often witnessed protests, clashes with police and disruption to business during previous Saba Saba anniversaries, remained largely peaceful on Tuesday.
Businesses stayed open, public transport operated normally and traffic flowed without interruption.
Human rights activists said the absence of demonstrations should not be interpreted as a sign that public grievances had diminished, arguing instead that many Kenyans feared exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
“We fear for our lives. We fear death and we fear injuries. That is why you are not seeing us in the streets as usual,” Willy Otiende, a member of the Kondele Social Justice Center, told reporters at the group’s offices in Manyatta.
“We cannot expose innocent Kenyans to violence when the government has failed to guarantee their security,” he added.
The Constitution guarantees citizens the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
Otiende questioned why authorities had not taken decisive action against groups accused of disrupting peaceful protests, saying citizens should not have to choose between exercising their constitutional rights and protecting their lives.
He also criticised the government’s handling of alleged enforced disappearances, saying President William Ruto’s directive to address the issue had yet to produce tangible results.
“President Ruto directed that the government should deal with cases of forced disappearances, but we are yet to see meaningful action. Kenyans are still demanding answers over those who remain missing,” he said.
The government has previously said it does not condone enforced disappearances and has pledged to investigate reported cases.
Otiende said Kenyans also remained concerned about challenges facing the Social Health Authority (SHA), the education sector and compensation for victims of torture.
He urged the government to address public grievances through dialogue and accountability, adding that many Kenyans viewed the 2027 general election as an opportunity to elect leaders committed to transparency and good governance.
“We must vote in a government that is pro-people and accountable to the citizens. As human rights defenders, Saba Saba gives us an opportunity to reflect on the state of our democracy and renew our commitment to justice,” he said.
Brenda Beverly, another member of the Kondele Social Justice Center, expressed concern over rising cases of gender-based violence, saying weak enforcement of existing laws continued to deny many survivors justice.
“We do not just want promises from the government; we want concrete action to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable,” she said.
Manyatta resident Phelister Otuma described Saba Saba as an important reminder of Kenya’s struggle for democracy and said the annual commemoration should continue.
She also called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to expedite investigations into reported abductions and secure the release of anyone still missing.
Although Kisumu remained peaceful throughout the day, activists said the calm stemmed from fear rather than contentment, maintaining that Kenyans should be able to exercise their constitutional freedoms without intimidation or violence.
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