07/07/2025
: SABA SABA AND THE CALL FOR A NATIONAL DIALOGUE:
STATEMNET BY RT. HON. RAILA ODINGA;
JULY 7, 2025
Saba Saba, the fateful day on which Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy took the most decisive turn, is iconic and historical. It is a day rivalled only by the present day Mashujaa Day, previously Kenyatta Day that celebrates the arrest and detention of the freedom fighters jointly called the Kapenguria Six.
It is regrettable that the recognition and remembrance of Saba Saba has not been consistent in its short 35-year history. One moment it is important. The next moment it is not.
On this 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, we decided to remember and to set the record straight on its significance, what it was and is, and what we ought to do with the foundation it laid for the country.
Before that day, some patriotic Kenyans had demanded the repeal of Section 2A of the constitution. A number of people including Kenneth Matiba, Raila Odinga, Mohammed Ibrahim, Gitobu Imanyara and Charles Rubia, among others were arrested and detained. It is quite unfortunate that some of the people we were fighting then and who sanctioned those arrests are trying to hide behind Saba to advance their political fortunes.
On the fateful day – July 7, 1990 – thousands of Kenyans tried to gather at the historic Kamkunji grounds to take stock of the past, the state of the nation, and chart a path of freedom forward. We decided that Saba would be a march for political freedom and liberty, freedom of association, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and a new democratic constitution founded on multipartysm.
Kenyans wanted a fulfillment of the Kenyan dream which was the eradication of poverty, ignorance and disease.
That clarity of mission is what made Saba Saba different from all other confrontations with the Moi-KANU one-party state.
Saba Saba therefore was, and still is, about the sacred and historic grounds of Kamukunji. It was not and is not just another routine street protest in Nairobi or any other town.
Saba Saba had a singular purpose – to repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution and allow multiparty democracy in Kenya. Saba Saba had clear and known national conveners – Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, and Raila Odinga. It was what gave birth to a bigger and powerful Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD).
FORD had a known nationally inclusive leadership – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Phillip Gachoka, Ahmed Bamahariz, Salim Ndamwe, Masinde Muliro, George Nthenge, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, among others.
Saba was inclusive, democratic and intergenerational: the old, the young, people in and out of government, professionals, academics, trade unionists, civil society, women’s groups, and religious groups. All of them found their voice in what it stood for – a people’s struggle for good governance, freedom and equal opportunity for all. It was not one group against the entire nation. It was not community against that community or this age group against that.
The movement stood for a peaceful and constitutional change of guard. That is the reason it focused singularly on amendment and later the overhaul of the constitution. These features are what made Saba Saba succeed.
A year after the march, On December 2, 1991, President Moi capitulated. Section 2 (a) of the constitution was removed; multi-partyism was reinstated. We achieved our core aim, which was to return Kenya to multipartysm. Today, we have more parties than one could imagine then.
That singular amendment paved the way for the complete overhaul of the constitution and the birth in 2010 of a new constitution that came with provisions for fundamental freedoms and liberties that our citizens enjoy today.
It is clear that many of the ideals espoused by the dreamers behind Saba Saba have become part of the national aspiration.
We are a better nation because Saba Saba happened. We have a duty and a responsibility to honor the men and women who dared to dream and to turn out at a time of great peril to themselves and their families.
Thirty five years later, the country is grappling with a new wave of unrest and political activism.
The question we have to ask ourselves is; where do We Go from Here? Do we embrace chaos or a coming together of minds and country? As a living architect of the events leading to Saba Saba, I choose a coming together of minds and country in the interest of the country I long fought for its progress, stability and prosperity.
The most important struggle taking shape in our country today is the struggle for good governance, economic opportunity and equality.
The biggest challenge facing Kenya today and into the foreseeable future is how to expand economic opportunity and lift particularly young Kenyans out of poverty, exclusion, and unemployment. Kenyans are yearning for programs and leaders that prioritize economic inclusivity, social justice, and political freedom. There is no doubt that the country is yearning for legislation that makes our institutions more responsive, programs that ensure adequate funding for services that touch wananchi, changes that make our Judiciary free, efficient and progressive, measures that make the Executive more accountable and efficient. We must end impunity and corruption within our three arms of government. Our leaders must become modest, ethical, humble, and accountable.
What is to be done?
I propose an inclusive intergenerational national conclave to hear our people across all divides and come up with an irreducible reforms and changes necessary to take the country forward.
I propose that the country urgently returns to the agenda of comprehensive police reforms, focusing on enhancing accountability, transparency and improving police to people relations.
I propose that the conclave envisage comes up with better and sustainable ways for addressing Transparency, Accountability, and Impunity especially with regard to corruption and ensuring that leaders are held accountable for their actions.
I propose that the forum comes up with a comprehensive and sustainable strategy for addressing youth unemployment and expansion of opportunities for youth in the formal and informal sectors.
Such a national conclave must have clear terms of reference and be populated and helmed by the most serious and sober minds in our nation.
The proceeds of the national dialogue be subjected to a referendum.
I thank you.
