A section of Kenyans from different residential estates in the country are counting losses after protests escalated from roads to residential estates.
Contrary to the norm, where protests are witnessed in the major roads, with protesters storming the streets while making their demands, the Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7, unleashed a different side, where the demonstrations escalated from the roads to residential estates.
Taking to social media platforms, Kenyans from different estates, both in Nairobi and other counties, decried goons looting their houses and teargas canisters being lobbed in estates and residential apartments.
During the protests, police blocked major roads, including those heading to the Nairobi CBD, leaving protesters to use residential estate routes while trying to access the roads. This led to residents falling victim to the helter-skelter between police and protesters.
Estates and apartments were teargassed as police dispersed protesters, while goons, who are now making it a norm to hijack protests, took advantage of the situation and looted some of the houses.
In Nairobi, the Kitengela, Kawangware, Kangemi, and Pipeline areas were mostly affected. Taking to X, media personality Carol Radull expressed her grievances, decrying that her househelp was one of those affected.
''My house help lives in Kawangware. She has asthma that is usually under control. Today, she is in a bad state because they were teargassed in their house. Her story is not unique. Our leaders must listen to the cry of the people,'' she posted.
Tensions escalated in Pipeline, where goons were seen in videos that made rounds online and were seen by Kenyan.co.ke forcefully entering people's houses and running off with household items, forcing the residents to lock the gates as they tried to salvage their properties.
The goons also raided businesses, including supermarkets, in different counties. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission offices and officers were also attacked during the protests.
In Ong'ata Rongai, crowds marched down Magadi Road, forcing matatus to turn back. Shops and petrol stations quickly pulled down their shutters as tension rose.
Saba Saba commemorates the 1990 riots that catalysed the push for multiparty democracy. However, this year's protests drew parallels between the struggles of the past and today’s discontent.
According to reports by the KHRC, at least nine protesters lost their lives during the Saba Saba protest, a number the commission speculates will rise given the nationwide scale of the protests.
