Meru shuns Saba Saba demonstrations as police cite change in mindset
Imenti North Sub-County Police Commander Ambrose Kyalo addresses the press. Photo: Brian Gitonga.
Police credit dialogue over defiance for a peaceful Saba Saba in Meru
By Brian Gitonga
The anticipated Saba Saba demonstrations failed to materialise in Meru Town on Tuesday, with Imenti North Sub-County Police Commander Ambrose Kyalo attributing the calm to what he described as a shift in how residents are choosing to express their grievances.
Speaking at Meru Police Station, Kyalo said residents had realised that violent demonstrations do not benefit anyone. He said the peaceful atmosphere witnessed across the town signals a growing preference for dialogue and other lawful avenues of resolving disputes.
“I think there is a realisation that we are taking the wrong trajectory. It is not assisting either of us: the police officers, the community, the business people and even the youth,” Kyalo said.
The commander said the calm was the outcome of a series of consultations between security agencies and various groups in the town, including boda boda operators, business people and youth representatives. According to him, the engagements ended with a shared commitment to pursue peaceful means of addressing grievances instead of resorting to violent protests.
Kyalo said the consultations also showed the need for residents to embrace a new approach to resolving disputes, especially as Meru prepares for its anticipated elevation to city status. He added that peace is key to the town’s growth and development.
“We have had a candid agreement with the citizens of this town, which is purposed to be a city in a few days to come, that going forward we will walk the straight and narrow path,” he said.
He said Tuesday’s calm allowed businesses to operate without interruption, unlike previous demonstrations that disrupted transport and commercial activities. He noted that maintaining peace protects livelihoods and enables residents to carry on with their daily economic activities.
Kyalo said there are better ways of resolving disagreements than resorting to violence, arguing that violent demonstrations often end up hurting the same communities they are intended to serve. He urged residents to continue using peaceful and lawful channels to air their concerns.
The police commander cited last year’s anti-government demonstrations in Meru as an example of the consequences of violent protests. He recalled that the unrest resulted in the destruction of property, including the burning of a prominent supermarket, leaving traders and business owners counting heavy losses.
He said the destruction had prompted many residents to reconsider the effectiveness of violent demonstrations, noting that communities often bear the greatest cost through damaged businesses, disrupted livelihoods and reduced public confidence.
Kyalo also acknowledged that while the Constitution guarantees Kenyans the right to picket and demonstrate, those rights must be exercised within the law. He said demonstrations should be conducted in a manner that safeguards both participants and the public while allowing businesses and essential services to continue operating.
“Demonstrations should be done in the prescribed manner. What happened should not be repeated, and the town today has been put to check. From north, south, east and west there is calmness and business is normal,” Kyalo said.
He said the absence of protests across the town reflected residents’ growing commitment to peaceful coexistence and lawful engagement with authorities. The commander added that security agencies would continue engaging stakeholders to ensure emerging concerns are addressed before they escalate into confrontations.
Kyalo expressed confidence that any future demonstrations will be conducted within the law without disrupting businesses. He said residents have become increasingly aware that lasting solutions are achieved through peaceful dialogue rather than violence.
“We do not want to go down the broad path that will lead us into destruction. Let us walk the narrow and straight path, which leads us to prosperity as a country,” Kyalo said.
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