Kisumu Residents Voice Chairman Calls for Peaceful Commemoration, Warns Against Violence
KISUMU, Kenya July 7 -As Kenya marks the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba, the historic 1990 pro-democracy uprising, human rights defender and Chairman of Kisumu Residents Voice, Mr Audi Ogada, has called for peaceful observance of the day through church service prayers, remembrance, and lawful demonstrations.
Ogada emphasized that Saba Saba should be a day of reflection, honouring those who died fighting for multiparty democracy.
“Like the early 1960s drums for national freedom and independence,this day birthed a new Kenya—free from autocracy, poverty, and repression,” he said, recalling the sacrifices of several activists.
“We rose up against the autocratic leadership of President Daniel arap Moi. People were rounded up and turned into political detainees without tangible reasons,” Audi recalled as he added: “It was a painful Detention Without Trial.”
Many reformists came out to protest against the arrest of political dissenters.
Some of the key figures he recalls were incarcerated included Raila Odinga, George Moseti Anyona, Paul Muite, Koigi wa Wamwere, Anyang Nyong’o, Joe Ager,Oyangi Mbaja,Dr Olel, and University students leaders like Nairobi’s Karl Marx, among others.
Audi recounted that this led to the formation of several Pressure Groups such as Young Turks, Release Political Prisoners, Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), Mwangaza Trust, Operation Moi Out, et al.
Young Turks which supported the first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s agitation for multiparty democracy composed of Raila Odinga, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Gitobu Imanyara, and human rights activists.
Audi further added: “Several soldiers who were expelled from the army after the 1982 coup d’etat such as Lt. Colonel Cornell Osendo, Captains Owaga and Ouya,Jomba Owade who is now an MCA, gave us support.”
Their key objective was to call for the repeal of Section 2A of the constitution from a de jure (single party rule), to a multiparty democracy and release of political detainees.
Scores of people died, injured and some held Hunger Strikes for weeks at the Freedom Corner led by environmentalist Wangari Maathai and Koigi Wamwere’s mother.
“Our exerted pressure paid off and Kenya became a multiparty democracy in 1991. It led to the registration of several political parties like Ford, Mwai Kibaki’s Democratic Party,” Audi said.
Peaceful Change
Mr Ogada said that he has been in the reforms journey for decades and urged the GenZs to uphold peace in today’s Saba Saba commemoration.
“Change of guard must come through the ballot, not destruction,” he said, warning against vandalism and violence.
“We have seen the fruits of their struggle when they rejected the Finance Budget 2024 and high cost of living. It led to the dissolution of the Cabinet and establishment of a broad-based government,” he noted.
Echoing similar sentiments, Kisumu residents Mama Florence Achieng, Alex Wandegu Gilo and Nyaori Nyang’ urged the law enforcers to maintain law and order for sustainable development to be realized.
Kisumu, they said is gradually turning into a beacon of peace and benchmarking site for the rest of the country.
“Be on the look out for sponsored goons who want to engage in criminal activities because we don’t want our beloved country to degenerate into a warzone like some of our neighbours,” they said.
The residents further called on political leaders and parents to advise the youth to desist from wrongful acts which can endanger their lives
“Let elected leaders desist from using our precious children to settle political scores and wanton destruction of our businesses,” they remarked.
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o was also urged to ensure stability as the county sheds its protest-heavy image.
“Kisumu has been given a negative perception for quite a long time. We have surrendered the Black Belt for maandamanos (demos) to other regions. Let our community not wear that belt of killing our own, muggings, burglary and destructions again,” they concluded.
