Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has warned police officers against brutality of unarmed protestors.

Speaking on Sunday, July 9, 2023, in Tharaka Nithi during a security meeting with residents, Kindiki told police officers not to confront unarmed Kenyans expressing themselves.

"Kama wananchi hawana silaha, wachana na wananchi waseme mambo yao. Kama hawajabeba silaha, hawaumizi mtu, hawavunji duka ya mtu wacha waongee mambo yao. Ikifika jioni wataenda nyumbani, ikiwezekana wasindikishwe. (If the citizens are not armed, let them express themselves. If they do not have weapons, are not harming anyone, are not breaking into anyone's shop, let them speak. In the evening they will go home, if possible escort them)," Kindiki said.

"Kuna wenzetu katika idara ya usalama, wachache pia ambao wanatumia nguvu visivyo na hiyo haitakubalika. (Some of us in the security sector use excessive force unnecessarily and that will not be allowed)."

Kindiki spoke hours after the government released over 75 activists who were arrested on Friday during the Saba Saba protests.

Activist Boniface Mwangi on Sunday, July 9, 2023, announced that the activists who were detained at Central Police Station were released on a free bond Sunday morning.

"All the young activists arrested on Friday in Nairobi at the #SabaSabaMarchForOurLives protests have been released. They hadn’t committed a crime. They were simply carrying placards. The police have given them free bond. Thank you to everyone who demanded for their release," Mwangi said.

The warning by Kindiki also comes a day after police at the Central Police Station teargassed human rights activists led by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who were demanding the release of the detainees.

On Friday, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party announced that it will hold further anti-government protests on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi said that the opposition will not cease the protests until they are heard.

"We have simply notified you (police)that come next Wednesday the whole country will come to a standstill as Kenyans of all walks of life participate in massive demonstrations in every width and breadth of the country," Wandayi said. 

“On Wednesday the whole country will come to a standstill as Kenyans of all walks of life participate in massive demonstrations in every width and breadth of the country. It is going to continue until the end."

Protests in Nairobi will be preceded by a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi.