London, United Kingdom – July 7, 2025

Steve Ombati, Senior Diaspora Times Reporter, London.

LONDON-Kenyans living in the United Kingdom gathered today in a peaceful demonstration to stand in unwavering solidarity with their brothers and sisters back home in Kenya, where the streets have once again been stained with blood in the wake of escalating police brutality. Organized under the banner of Concerned Kenyans Voices of UK and Europe, the demonstration was a resounding call for justice, human rights, and the restoration of dignity for the people of Kenya.

The demonstrators, drawn from various cities across the UK and Europe, came together as one non-partisan voice—unaffiliated with any political party or group—united by a shared desire for a better, freer, and more just Kenya for all citizens and for generations to come.

In the wake of today’s harrowing events in Kenya, the demonstrators expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the loss of innocent lives during the ongoing Saba Saba protests. At least 15 people are reported to have been killed, with many others injured, in what has become yet another dark chapter in Kenya’s history of state violence. The names and faces of the dead may not be known to all, but their lives mattered—and their memory must fuel the demand for change. The demonstrators held a solemn moment of silence to mourn these needless deaths and to honor the courage of those who continue to resist oppression despite the deadly risks.

Juliet Makhapila, one of the key organizers of Concerned Kenyans Voices and friends of Kenya and Europe, delivered an impassioned address, reminding attendees of the importance of standing with the oppressed, regardless of one’s location. “We are here not just as witnesses, but as active voices for those who cannot speak because their voices have been silenced—by bullets, by batons, by fear,” she said. “We are here because injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

The demonstration also saw Kenyans from far-flung parts of the UK, including a dedicated team from Scotland who traveled the greatest distance to join the cause. Their early arrival and passionate participation underscored the unity and determination of the diaspora to amplify the cries for justice from back home.

The protesters carried placards with powerful messages such as “Stop Killing Innocent Kenyans”, “We Want Justice, Not Bullets”, and “A Better Kenya for All”. They sang patriotic songs, recited prayers for the wounded, and pledged to continue raising their voices until the government of Kenya is held accountable for the violent suppression of fundamental rights.

The Concerned Kenyans Voices of UK and Europe reaffirmed their position as a non-political, citizen-led movement, dedicated solely to advocating for the protection of life, dignity, and democracy in Kenya. The gathering called for:

1. An immediate end to the use of live ammunition and lethal force against unarmed civilians.
2. Independent investigations into all deaths and injuries resulting from police actions.
3. Accountability at the highest levels of government, including the resignation of officials who have failed in their duty to protect the people.
4. Comprehensive political reforms to ensure that no Kenyan is ever again targeted for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.
5. Stop the abduction of youths and ensure thorough, impartial investigations for all pending cases.
6. Safeguard the protection of those who speak up for the oppressed and marginalized communities, whose voices are too often ignored or underestimated.
7. Protect investigative journalism and uphold media freedom by stopping the shutdown of national TV channels during protests—so the world can witness what is truly happening in Kenya when riots and unrest occur.
8. Create meaningful employment opportunities for youth and women in Kenya, and commit to better governance rooted in transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

As one speaker put it: “We may be far from the streets of Nairobi, Kisumu, or Embu, but our hearts are with every Kenyan who has bled, every mother who has mourned, every family shattered by bullets meant to silence them. We are here to say: you are not alone.”

The demonstration ended with a renewed commitment to continue mobilizing, speaking out, and advocating for the voiceless—because the fight for Kenya’s soul is not over.