Much touted Saba Saba rally was a major flop

The nation was evidently expectant with fever-pitch anxiety and despondency; an unprecedented apprehension and intimidation about threats of mass action that could quickly breed violence, reminiscent of the 1990s Saba Saba. The country had been warned that the ‘donkey would lay off its burden’ on that day and Kenyans would taste freedom; a storm of change would sweep across the country and Kenya would never be the same again! Thank God, it never came to pass!

If the intention was to cause fear and despondency, CORD succeeded. Many Kenyans evacuated their homes in various parts of the country. Many more lost their livelihoods for fear of venturing out to work. There was heightened level of ethnic animosity and hate sowed among some communities. Worse still, the economy lost big time. However, if the intention was to test the resolve of Kenyans towards mass action, the result was negative. A majority of CORD leaders, like most Kenyans, gave the function a wide berth; others simply condemned it as an act of incitement.