Former Chief Justice David Maraga has condemned the attack on women who gathered at the Kenya Human Rights Commission offices for a presser on Sunday in Nairobi.

Maraga blamed President Ruto for the attack on women who gathered to speak up against the use of violence ahead of the Saba Saba commemoration. 

“As I have said before, President Ruto must stop using armed militias against citizens. This is not only a violation of our Constitution,  but will also lead the country into instability and anarchy…Ruto, simply, has to stop this madness!” he stated.

The statement comes after armed goons invaded the presser at KHRC headquarters, robbing journalists and roughing them up.

KHRC was to hold a presser calling for an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

This comes on the eve of the Saba Saba day, when Kenyans plan to mark the pro-democracy protests from the 1990s.

Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on July 7, 1990, when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-President Daniel arap Moi.

In preparation for the protest, people have expressed fear from the violence experienced in the past demonstrations in the country that led to the destruction of properties and loss of lives.

According to KHRC, at least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests on June 25, 2025.