Oburu Oginga Proposes Saba Saba Day Be Gazetted as National Day in Kenya
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has announced plans to petition the government to officially gazette Saba Saba Day as a national day, arguing that the historic occasion deserves formal recognition for its role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader said the proposal is rooted in the party’s enduring commitment to protecting democracy and safeguarding the constitutional gains won through decades of struggle.
Speaking in a statement issued on Saturday, July 11, Oburu said officially recognising Saba Saba Day would ensure future generations continue to honour the sacrifices made by Kenyans in the pursuit of political freedom.
“Our commitment to the democratic fabric of Kenya remains ironclad. It is for this exact reason that as the Party Leader I plan to officially petition the state to gazette the historic Saba Saba Day as a National day to continuously honor the constitutional and civil struggles and achievements of the Kenyan people,” Oburu says in a statement on Saturday, July 11.
Oburu also reaffirmed ODM’s role in defending democratic institutions and promoting accountability within government.
“We continue to loudly demand institutional accountability”.
Saba Saba Day is commemorated annually by Kenyans despite not being recognised as an official public holiday. The day marks the landmark pro-democracy demonstrations of July 7, 1990, when activists demanded political reforms under the KANU government led by former President Daniel arap Moi.
The demonstrations became a turning point in Kenya’s political history, eventually paving the way for the restoration of multi-party democracy after years of one-party rule.
Over the years, the significance of Saba Saba has expanded beyond its historical origins. Today, it has evolved into a broader platform through which citizens, particularly young people, advocate for government accountability, economic justice, human rights, constitutionalism and good governance.
Oburu’s proposal seeks to elevate the annual commemoration into an officially recognised national day, arguing that such recognition would permanently acknowledge the constitutional and civil struggles that helped shape modern Kenya.
Whether the government will act on the petition remains to be seen, but the proposal is likely to reignite national debate over how Kenya commemorates key moments in its democratic history.
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