Saba Saba Day
| Saba Saba Day | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Maonyesho ya Biashara |
| Date | 7 July |
| Next time | 7 July 2027 |
| Frequency | Every year |
| Related to | Nane Nane Day |
Saba Saba Day on 7 July celebrates various historic holidays in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania and Kenya.[1][2][3] The name Saba Saba is symbolic and is Swahili for seven seven , which translates to the 7th day of the 7th month of the year.
In Tanzania, Saba Saba Day commemorates the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair held annually on this date in the Saba Saba grounds near Kurasini in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Also known as 'Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair Day', this day is a national public holiday in Tanzania that commemorates the 1954 date when the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) was founded. This is an important date in Tanzania's fight for independence from the British.
Kenya
1990 protests
In Kenya, Saba Saba Day is remembered as the day on which nation-wide protests took place at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi.[4] On 7 July 1990, Kenyans took to the streets to demand free elections.[5][6] The politicians who had called for the protests, Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, were arrested on 2nd July, days before the protest day. Other organisers of the day such as James Orengo,[7] Njeru Gathangu, John Khaminwa, Gitobu Imanyara, George Anyona and Raila Odinga were beaten up and detained by the then president Daniel arap Moi.
Annual protests
Every year on 7 July, commemorative demonstrations occur in honour of the 1990 protests.[8]
In present day Kenya, Saba Saba has taken on a new meaning, with opposition leaders, human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations such as Inuka Kenya Ni Sisi, Kenya Human Rights Commission, National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders, the Social Justice Centres' Working Group and Mathare Social Justice Center among others asking for respect of the constitution, an end to police brutality and killings, advocating for a favourable legal and policy environment in Kenya.[9][10]
On the 30th anniversary of the Saba Saba in 2020, the Kenyan police teargassed and arrested activists who had taken to the streets to demand for basic rights,[11] as well as clean water, good housing and an end to abuse from those who are in power.[12]
On 7 July 2025 which marked the 35th anniversary, the day was marked with demonstrations across the country, continuing the 2025 Kenyan protests.[13][14] Human rights groups and protestors, primarily from Generation Z, took to the streets to demand good governance, respect to democracy and an end to police brutality and extrajudicial killings.[15] The Kenya Police killed at least six people during the demonstrations, some of whom were not participating in them. The youngest victim was a 12-year-old girl, Bridgit Njoki, that was watching television at home. She was allegedly killed by a stray police bullet.[16]
On 7 July 2026, 10 people were arrested for participating in the commemorative protests without notice to the Kenya Police.[17] Of the arrested were six activits: Dickson Muli, James Bota, Dennis Kimani, Mulinge Muteti, Michael Ngige and Julius Kamau. They were charged on 8 July at the Milimani Law Court with obstruction of traffic. All six denied the charges. They were released on a bond of Ksh10,000 with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 2,000.[18][19]
References
- ↑ "SabaSaba: A Day of Reflection, Resistance, and Remembrance | Ni Sisi!". Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ↑ "Saba Saba Day in Tanzania | Diversity Atlas". diversityatlas.io. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ↑ "A tale of two Saba Sabas: Different strokes for Tanzania, Kenya". The EastAfrican. 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ↑ "Kenyans Mark Saba Saba Day the Best Way They Know How". KenyaBuzz LifeStyle. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ↑ "The origin of Saba Saba". The Star. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ↑ "Raila Odinga asks Kenyans to mark Saba Saba at Kamukunji grounds and not through protests". Citizen TV Kenya. 6 July 2025 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Wanjala, Emmanuel (6 July 2026). "EXPLAINER: How this year's Saba Saba protests differ from the past". The Star. Archived from the original on 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Kipkemoi, Felix (7 July 2026). "Police: Only 10 arrested during Saba Saba protests in Nairobi". The Star. Archived from the original on 8 July 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Saba Saba Day: #MarchForOurLives on 7 July 2018 – Missing Voices". Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ↑ "Kivutha slams leadership as country marks Saba Saba day". The Star. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ↑ Makokha, Kwamchetsi (7 July 2020). "KWAMCHETSI MAKOKHA - Saba Saba and the Evolution of Citizen Power". The Elephant. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ↑ "Police disrupt Saba Saba protests in the city". Daily Nation. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ↑ "Saba Saba demos: Police mount roadblocks on major routes to Nairobi CBD". The Star. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ↑ "Saba Saba test: Echoes from the past as youths lead push for good governance". Daily Nation. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ↑ "[PHOTOS] Nyi Nam members hold peaceful procession ahead of Saba Saba". The Star. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ↑ Kariuki, Gikunga (8 July 2025). "Saba Saba protests: 12-year-old girl shot dead while watching TV at home". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
- ↑ Kirui, Ben (7 July 2026). "10 arrested in Nairobi as police block Saba Saba protests". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 8 July 2026. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
- ↑ Munguti, Richard (8 July 2026). "Six Saba Saba protesters charged, freed on Sh10,000 bond". Daily Nation. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
- ↑ "[PHOTOS] Six Saba Saba activists deny protest-related charges, freed on Sh2,000 cash bail". The Star. 8 July 2026. Archived from the original on 13 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
External links