Raila Warns Ruto, Issues Demands On Police Reforms After Saba Saba Day Showdown
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement Party, has called for immediate police changes to address the troubling erosion of the police-civilian relationship.
Raila, in his Saba Saba Day address at the Serena Hotel on Monday, July 7, called for a national convocation to reverse the country’s course.
According to Raila, police changes were urgently needed to repair the connection between civilians and law enforcement and, ultimately, put an end to the string of protest-related fatalities.
“I propose that the country urgently turn to the agenda of comprehensive police reforms focused on transparency, accountability and improving the police-to-people relationship,” Raila said.
Raila Odinga: I propose that the conclave I envisage comes up with better and sustainable ways of addressing transparency, accountability and impunity, especially with regard to corruption and ensuring that leaders are held accountable for their actions. The conclave must have… pic.twitter.com/CBadfQzsgQ
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 7, 2025
Aside from police changes, Raila highlighted a rising distrust between Kenyans, particularly the younger population, and the Kenya Kwanza government.
To address this, the ODM party leader proposed the formation of a conclave especially tasked with addressing the issues that Kenyans have repeatedly expressed concern over.
“I propose an inclusive intergenerational national conclave that hears our people on all divides to come up with non-reducible reforms and changes to take the country forward,” he added.
“The conclave should come up with better ways of addressing transparency and impunity with regard to corruption to ensure that leaders are held accountable for their actions.”
Raila, one of the Saba Saba movement’s pioneers, was due to address Kenyans gathered at the Kamkunji grounds on Monday to commemorate the 35th anniversary.
However, the gathering was thwarted by a large police presence in Nairobi and its surrounding areas, with the bulk of key highways in Nairobi closed to the public.
The ODM party leader also said that, while he had every intention of going to the Kamkunji grounds as usual on July 7, circumstances prevented the event from taking place.
Raila Odinga: Saba Saba therefore was and still is about the sacred and historic grounds of Kamukunji. It was not and is not just another street protest in Nairobi or any other town. Saba Saba had a singular purpose, to repeal section 2A of the Constitution and allow multi-party… pic.twitter.com/QfgimgZ0pZ
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 7, 2025
He went on, “Yesterday I did an interview saying I would be in Kamkunji for the Saba Saba Day. Unfortunately, with the circumstances of the roads being blocked, I decided to talk to the media here in Serena.”
Raila went on to say that the conclave he envisioned would be made up of unbiased individuals who would discuss matters such as young chances.
He also demanded an end to what he saw as impunity within the three branches of government.
“I propose that the forum come up with a comprehensive and sustainable strategy to address youth unemployment and expansion of opportunities for the youth in the formal and informal sectors,” Raila asserted.
Notably, Raila’s statement took place amid ongoing fights outside the Serena Hotel, with the ODM leader having to pause his speech numerous times owing to the loud bang of gunfire.
In terms of protests, police kept demonstrators under control for most of Monday morning.
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However, violence erupted in numerous estates, particularly in Nairobi, with protestors threatening to overrun police forces.
At the time of publication of this article, at least four people were reported to have been shot by police on Monday during the protests.
Without naming names, Raila, in his address, appeared to suggest that some elements allied to the regime he fought against in the 1980s and early 90s were behind the frequent skirmishes witnessed whenever there were demonstrations.
“It is quite unfortunate that some of the people we were fighting then, and who sanctioned those arrests, are trying to hide behind Saba Saba to advance their political fortunes. Some of them are alive today and are masquerading as liberators,” Raila said
Raila Warns Ruto, Issues Demands On Police Reforms After Saba Saba Day Showdown
