Moses Kuria Praises Thika & Githurai Ahead of Saba Saba Demos - Here's Why

Moses Kuria, President William Ruto's Senior Advisor in the Council of Economic Advisors, has taken to his X (formerly Twitter) account to commend the residents and business communities of Thika and Githurai towns in Kiambu County.

His praise comes amidst heightened security and apprehension across Kenya ahead of today's Saba Saba commemorations, with Kuria acknowledging their proactive measures to protect their businesses and families.

In a series of posts on Monday, Kuria highlighted the actions taken by these communities.

To Githurai, he posted, "Big up Githurai Business Community. I am satisfied with the Presidential Level Security you have put in place to protect your families and businesses. Stand Your Ground. You are on your own."

Similarly, for Thika, he tweeted, "Well done Thika Town. Good organization to protect your businesses. Stand Your Guard. This is civil war."

The remarks from the presidential advisor come as Kenya observes Saba Saba (July 7th), a historically significant date that commemorates the pro-democracy demonstrations of 1990.

That pivotal day saw Kenyans bravely challenge the one-party rule, demanding multi-party democracy, a movement that, despite a brutal crackdown by authorities, ultimately paved the way for significant constitutional reforms.

This year's Saba Saba anniversary unfolds against a backdrop of widespread public discontent, fueled by economic hardships such as the rising cost of living and recent, often confrontational, youth-led protests. These recent demonstrations, particularly those against the Finance Bill, have seen significant public participation and, at times, clashes with security forces across the country.

Across Kenya, police and citizens have reacted to the looming Saba Saba demonstrations with varying levels of caution and preparedness.

In Nairobi, major arteries leading into the Central Business District were extensively blocked by anti-riot police, mounting roadblocks and conducting thorough searches. Routes like Waiyaki Way, Thika Road, and Mombasa Road saw severe restrictions, with only emergency and government vehicles permitted access, forcing thousands of commuters to walk into the city center. This mirrored similar, though less intense, security deployments in other urban areas like Mombasa and Kisumu.

The National Police Service had issued warnings against violence and property destruction, emphasizing the need for peaceful assembly within legal bounds.

Amidst these security operations, many learning institutions across towns and cities had advised students to stay home, and numerous businesses opted to remain shut or fortify their premises with metal grills, anticipating potential disruptions or looting.