Kisii, Kenya — People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader and 2027 presidential aspirant Martha Karua has sharply criticized the Kenyan government for deploying heavy police presence and roadblocks to restrict peaceful Saba Saba commemorations, describing the actions as a betrayal of the democratic gains secured through the sacrifices of the Second Liberation.
In a press statement issued on July 7, 2026, from Kisii County where she officially opened the PLP’s county branch office Karua called on authorities to “stop the madness and work for the people.”
She condemned what she termed “state-sponsored goonism” and the suppression of civic freedoms, linking current tactics to the authoritarian practices of the past.
Karua, a veteran of Kenya’s pro-democracy struggle and former Justice Minister, reminded Kenyans of the historical significance of Saba Saba.
The July 7, 1990, protests marked a pivotal moment in the fight for multiparty democracy, ultimately contributing to the 2010 Constitution. “We commemorate and remember those who shed their blood,” she said.
“People lost lives, others were arrested, some were beaten up. It is their footsteps that gave us the Constitution of 2010.”
She expressed dismay at reports of extensive security deployments across Nairobi and other regions on the anniversary, including roadblocks and restrictions that prevented peaceful assemblies.
“We should never be stopped from expressing our rights, our views so long as we do it peacefully,” Karua stated.
“The government should never erect blockades like they have throughout the country today. It is a shame.”
The PLP leader highlighted broader concerns about a resurgence of repressive tactics under the current administration.
She pointed to attacks on families of protesters, intimidation of mothers demanding justice, alleged abductions, and the use of violence against dissenters.
Karua contrasted this with the failure to address citizens’ core grievances, such as economic hardship, while accusing leaders of prioritizing self-preservation over service delivery.
“Instead of fixing the nation, this administration is preoccupied with silencing the voices of Kenyans,” she said. “We are witnessing attacks on families of protesters, intimidation of mothers demanding justice, and attempted abductions of media and citizens who dare to speak out.
Meanwhile, criminal gangs rob businesses, churches, and innocent wananchi with impunity.”
Karua specifically referenced recent violence in Kisii, including an attack on the Linda Mwananchi opposition convoy in Keumbu that resulted in death and injuries, which she attributed to politically motivated goons.
She warned young people against being manipulated into violence, emphasizing that their lives hold greater value than any political payoff.
The statement also addressed the political landscape ahead of 2027.
Karua pledged that her party and the broader opposition would campaign on ideas rather than insults or division, rejecting “boardroom gymnastics” and elite deal-making in favor of addressing ordinary Kenyans’ struggles such as neglected farmers in Kisii, crumbling infrastructure, and failing services.
She positioned the 2010 Constitution as the foundation for accountable governance, vowing to restore fiscal discipline, end wasteful spending, review burdensome taxes like the Housing Levy, support informal workers, and deliver quality education and jobs for the youth.
“True liberation begins when wananchi elect leaders who will serve the people, not themselves,” Karua affirmed.
As a key figure in regional human rights advocacy having recently faced her own challenges with cross-border restrictions,Karua framed the defense of democratic space as both a national and East African imperative.
She urged Kenyans to honor Saba Saba’s legacy by safeguarding constitutional rights to assembly, demonstration, and petition without fear of intimidation or reprisal.
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