SABASABA RECAP: Houses Raided, Residents Tear-Gassed As Police Unleash Terror
A portion of Kenyans from various residential estates across the country are counting their losses as protests spread from roadways to residential estates.
In contrast to the norm, where rallies are seen on main roadways, with protestors taking to the streets while voicing their demands, the Saba Saba protests released a new aspect.
The demonstrations spread from the streets to residential areas.
Kenyans from various estates in Nairobi and other counties took to social media to complain about looters breaking into their homes.
Chaos erupted in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on Monday as protesters, mostly Gen Z youth, engaged police in running battles during the ongoing Saba Saba demonstrations. pic.twitter.com/XtR17xo520
— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) July 7, 2025
In addition, tear gas canisters were thrown into estates and residential apartments.
During the rallies, police closed main roads, including those leading to the Nairobi CBD, forcing demonstrators to take residential estate routes.
As a result of the scuffle between police and demonstrators, residents were caught in the middle.
Estates and apartments were teargassed as police dispersed demonstrators, and goons, who are increasingly making it a habit to hijack protests, took advantage of the situation and looted some of the homes.
Nairobi’s Kitengela, Kawangware, Kangemi, and Pipeline regions were the worst hit.
A sharp escalation in police force is being reported across several satellite towns surrounding Nairobi, including Kahawa, Rongai, Ngong, Juja, Ruiru, Kitengela, Kiserian, Kiambu, Pipeline, Githurai, Kangemi, with a wave of coordinated aggression involving the use of live… pic.twitter.com/UeZsPtQiwP
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 7, 2025
Tensions escalate in Kitengela after one person was shot dead and three others critically injured, protesters storm Sub-County Hospital
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) July 7, 2025
Video: Peterson Githaiga pic.twitter.com/HwWe0HVbqs
Taking on X, media personality, Carol Radull expressed her displeasure, stating that her housekeeper was one of those affected.
“My house help lives in Kawangware. She has asthma that is usually under control,” she posted.
“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.”
Tensions rose in Pipeline after goons were seen in leaked videos forcibly invading people’s homes and fleeing with household stuff.
This forced the residents to lock the gates as they tried to salvage their properties.
Residents in Pipeline, Embakasi report that police are firing live rounds and teargas into densely populated residential streets during #SabaSaba2025 protests. pic.twitter.com/nLM6bmRKW0
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 7, 2025
The goons also raided businesses, including supermarkets, in various counties. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission’s headquarters and officials were also targeted during the protests.
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Crowds marched along Magadi Road in Ong’ata Rongai, forcing matatus to reverse their direction. As tension grew, shops and gas stations rapidly pulled down their shutters.
Saba Saba commemorates the 1990 riots, which sparked the movement for multiparty democracy.
However, this year’s protesters drew analogies between historical fights and contemporary anger.
According to KHRC estimates, at least nine demonstrators were killed during the Saba Saba demonstration, a figure that the commission expects to climb given the rallies’ statewide breadth.
SABASABA RECAP: Houses Raided, Residents Tear-Gassed As Police Unleash Terror
