As activist called for demonstrations to mark the Saba Saba Day, Homa Bay County experienced a peaceful day, with residents going about their daily activities uninterrupted.
A walk through Homa Bay town revealed a normal business environment. Traders opened their shops early, customers thronged the market to purchase goods, boda boda operators’ ferried passengers to different destinations, and public service vehicles continued operating as usual.
Ann Chebet, a businesswoman at Homa Bay Market, said the day was calm, allowing traders to conduct business without fear or disruption.
“There were no protests here in Homa Bay. People were running their businesses as usual, and customers were coming just like on any other normal day,” said Chebet.
She explained that the market remained busy throughout the day, with buyers and sellers interacting freely, creating a conducive environment for business.
“Our businesses ran well, there were customers as usual, and there were no incident of protest or disturbance affecting our work,” she added.
Although Chebet expressed support for the ideals associated with the Saba Saba movement, she admitted she was relieved that demonstrations did not occur in Homa Bay because they could have negatively affected small-scale traders who rely on daily earnings.
“I support the Saba Saba protests because every Kenyan has a constitutional right to express their views peacefully. However, I am happy there were no protests in Homa Bay because they would have hindered my daily business and denied me the opportunity to provide for my family,” she said.
For many traders like Chebet, every working day is crucial especially at a time when many households continue to struggle with the high cost of living. Missing even a single day of business can significantly affect their ability to meet daily expenses.
Boda boda operator Michael Omondi also described the day as peaceful, saying transport services continued uninterrupted throughout Homa Bay County.
“There have been no protests in Homa Bay County, and we have continued with our work as usual,” said Omondi.
According to him, roads within the town and surrounding areas remained accessible, allowing riders to transport passengers and goods without encountering roadblocks or security concerns.
“The roads are clear, everyone is busy with their work, and people are moving freely from one place to another,” he said.
Omondi noted that the calm environment enabled boda boda operators to maximize their earnings since movement was not restricted in any way. He added that peace is essential not only for transport operators but also for all other businesses.
Businessman Caleb Owino also praised the peaceful atmosphere witnessed throughout the day, saying it enabled him to conduct his business normally.
“Yesterday was a good day. There were no protests, and I was able to run my business well just like any other day,” Owino said.
He said although he supported the objectives of the Saba Saba movement, economic challenges compelled him to prioritize work over participating in demonstrations.
“I support Saba Saba, but I chose to work because I have a family to support. The economy is hard, and I cannot afford to lose a day’s income,” he said.
He observed that many Kenyans are currently facing financial difficulties, making it increasingly important for families to utilize of every available opportunity to earn a living.
Saba Saba Day, observed annually on July 7th commemorates the events of July 7, 1990, when thousands of Kenyans demanded the restoration of multiparty democracy and greater political freedoms. The movement became a turning point in Kenya’s democratic journey and remains a symbol of the struggle for constitutional rights, accountability, and good governance.
Over the years, Saba Saba has evolved into a day when citizens express concerns over governance, economic challenges, unemployment, corruption, and the cost of living. While some years have been marked by nationwide demonstrations, the nature and scale of activities often vary from one region to another.
In Homa Bay County, however, residents prioritized peace and economic activities.
The peaceful atmosphere also reflected the determination of many residents to balance their democratic rights with the need to sustain their livelihoods. Several residents noted that while they respected the significance of Saba Saba and the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, earning a daily income remained their immediate priority because of the prevailing economic situation.
For Homabay residents, the absence of protests meant another productive day at work. Their experiences reflected a common hope shared by many residents—that Kenya can continue to uphold democratic values while maintaining peace and creating an environment where citizens can work, do business, and improve their livelihoods without disruption.
By Shanel Kwamboka/Davis Langat
