In a significant surge in violence, the death toll from recent anti-government protests in Kenya has risen dramatically, prompting widespread anger and calls for accountability from both local and international bodies. With claims of police brutality and the use of lethal force, tensions continue to mount in the nation.
Rising Death Toll from Kenya’s Anti-Government Protests Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
Rising Death Toll from Kenya’s Anti-Government Protests Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
The human rights crisis escalates in Kenya as protests against the government result in significant casualties and international criticism over police force.
The number of deaths resulting from Monday's anti-government protests in Kenya has surged to 31, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRCR), inciting public outrage and demands for justice. Initially, the state-run commission reported only 11 fatalities, highlighting a stark discrepancy. In addition to the fatalities, more than 100 individuals sustained injuries, and approximately 532 arrests were made during widespread protests across the capital, Nairobi, and other major cities.
The United Nations expressed deep concern regarding the use of deadly force during the protests, criticizing the Kenyan police for employing "lethal ammunition" against demonstrators. In contrast, the police maintain that only 11 people have died. The protests erupted in response to heightened unrest following the recent death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody, reviving memories from previous demonstrations against tax increases.
Intended to honor Kenya's long-standing fight for democracy, the protests instead devolved into violent clashes across 17 of the nation’s 47 counties, with chants of "Ruto must go" echoing among crowds advocating for President William Ruto's ousting. The KHRCR condemned the surge in fatalities as "deeply troubling," calling for accountability from all parties involved, including law enforcement and civilians.
Among those reported dead was a 12-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet while at home, spotlighting the indiscriminate impact of the violence. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted the concerning pattern of violence, as over 15 protesters were also killed in the preceding months.
Reports have surfaced detailing incidents of looting and vandalism of hospitals, raising additional alarm among health and rights advocates, who demand immediate and independent investigations into the unrest. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, however, praised police efforts in managing the protests, blaming criminal elements for infiltrating the gatherings, while opposition leaders accused the government of orchestrating violent clashes through the use of unmarked vehicles to convey armed groups to protest zones.
In response to the dissent, the opposition called for a national boycott of businesses linked to Ruto’s administration, labeling the regime as hostile and calling for continued resistance against perceived state-sponsored violence. Kenya's Chief Justice, Martha Koome, warned about the potential threat to the country's democratic integrity posed by the rising unrest.
The recent demonstrations, organized largely by the youth referred to as Gen-Z, called for improved governance, accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality amid an earlier wave of protests since last year. With the death toll from protests this year exceeding 140, according to local media, the situation in Kenya remains critical as tensions persist.
