Siaya Governor James Orengo and Narok Senator Ledama Olekina, have called on Kenyans to reflect on the values behind Saba Saba Day and support ongoing calls for justice, unity, and constitutional order as Gen Z prepares for fresh protests on July 7.

In separate messages posted on Sunday, both leaders backed the youth-led Gen Z demonstrations planned for Saba Saba, with Orengo warning of a slow dismantling of key democratic pillars, while Olekina appealed for order and a deeper understanding of the day’s symbolic meaning.

Orengo, one of the founding figures of the 1990 Saba Saba movement, expressed deep concern over what he described as the steady erosion of constitutional protections and institutional independence since the 2010 Constitution was enacted.

“The dream of Saba Saba was enshrined in Katiba 2010. Before the ink dried, it was turned on its head,” he wrote.
“So, the struggle must continue: Mwakenya, Saba Saba, Gen Z, and on and on.”

The veteran politician linked the Gen Z movement to Kenya’s long legacy of resistance, including the Mwakenya underground movement and the original Saba Saba protests, describing them as part of an ongoing pursuit for good governance and transparency.

“The aspirations of Saba Saba were firmly grounded in the 2010 Constitution. But before the ink could dry, its pillars were dismantled one by one. Today, nothing has been spared not even the sacred separation of church and state. So, the fight must go on: from Mwakenya, to Saba Saba, to Gen Z,” Orengo stated.

His remarks come at a time when Kenya is witnessing renewed civic energy, with young people demanding accountability, better governance, and economic justice through a series of protests that began in June.

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina also added his voice to the moment, urging Kenyans to appreciate the deeper spiritual and historical meaning of the number seven and what it represents for the nation.

“The number 7 symbolizes completeness, perfection, and divine order not chaos. We must defend it,” Olekina said in a message on his X account.

By tying the sacredness of the number to the spirit of Saba Saba, Olekina appeared to be making a call for peaceful action rooted in moral conviction and national unity.

The senator has in recent weeks pushed for bold reforms, including economic empowerment initiatives and institutional accountability.

His latest message aligns with his consistent calls for responsible leadership and a political culture that puts the country’s long-term interests ahead of partisan division.

Saba Saba, observed every July 7, commemorates the pro-democracy demonstrations of 1990, led by Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia.

The peaceful rally at Kamukunji Grounds was met with brutal force by security agencies under President Daniel Arap Moi’s regime, leading to the deaths of over 20 people and injuries to thousands.

The protests exposed deep frustrations with political repression and economic decay, eventually forcing the repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution in 1991 and the return of multiparty politics.

As Kenya’s Gen Z once again takes to the streets in pursuit of change, they do so carrying the weight of that legacy—one rooted in sacrifice, resilience, and the relentless demand for dignity and justice.