Saba Saba (seven-seven/July 7) refers to a protest on July 7, 1990, when Kenyans took to the streets to demand free elections. That first serious challenge against repression resulted in 39 dead, 69 injured and 5,000 arrested after four days of confrontations between the police and the public. In 1991, Kenya transitioned to a multiparty political system after 26 years of single-party rule though the demand for free and fair elections has continued.

In the present day, human rights defenders and social organizations, including the Social Justice Centres Working Group, have mobilized on this day to call for respect for the constitution and an end to police violence.