Following a sharp increase in the death toll during recent anti-government protests in Kenya, public outrage has fueled demands for an independent investigation. The UN has condemned the use of lethal force by police, while citizens rally for justice amid calls for President Ruto's resignation.
Outrage Grows as Death Toll in Kenya's Protests Surges to 31
Outrage Grows as Death Toll in Kenya's Protests Surges to 31
The aftermath of Kenya's anti-government protests sees a dramatic rise in fatalities, prompting calls for accountability and justice.
In a tragic escalation of violence, the death toll from anti-government protests in Kenya has risen sharply to 31, as reported by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRCR). This sharp increase from the earlier reported figure of 11 has ignited public outrage and intensified calls for justice amidst widespread unrest.
The protests, which unfolded in major cities including the capital Nairobi, saw over 100 individuals injured and approximately 532 arrested. Human rights advocates condemned the police's use of lethal ammunition during the protests, which were sparked by rising tensions following the police custodial death of blogger Albert Ojwang last month.
While the KHRCR documented extensive violence—including looting and property destruction—the Kenya police maintain their lower casualty figure. This disconnect has raised serious concerns, especially as one of the deceased was a 12-year-old student who was inadvertently struck by gunfire while at home.
The protests, deemed an urgent response to Kenya's long-standing struggle for democracy, devolved into chaos across 17 of the country's 47 counties. As demonstrators shouted slogans like “Ruto must go,” demands intensified for President William Ruto's resignation. In light of the increased violence, the KHRCR called for accountability from all parties involved, including police and civilians.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed profound concern, noting that these recent deaths follow a disturbing trend of violence, with at least 19 protest-related deaths recorded just weeks earlier. Calls for urgent investigations into the killings have surfaced from various rights groups, while the Interior Minister praised police for maintaining order, accusing protesters of being infiltrated by criminal elements.
Opposition leaders claimed government complicity in the violence, alleging that unmarked police vehicles were utilized to transport armed thugs to opposition strongholds. This situation has prompted calls for a national boycott of businesses linked to Ruto’s administration, with opposition figures asserting that state-sponsored violence is threatening the country.
Kenya's Chief Justice has warned that the increasing violence could dismantle the nation’s democratic institutions. Meanwhile, the ongoing protests, largely led by the younger generation, demand improved governance, accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality, continuing a wave of dissent that has been building over the past year. According to reports, over 140 individuals have lost their lives in protests throughout 2023, underscoring the urgency of this situation.
The protests, which unfolded in major cities including the capital Nairobi, saw over 100 individuals injured and approximately 532 arrested. Human rights advocates condemned the police's use of lethal ammunition during the protests, which were sparked by rising tensions following the police custodial death of blogger Albert Ojwang last month.
While the KHRCR documented extensive violence—including looting and property destruction—the Kenya police maintain their lower casualty figure. This disconnect has raised serious concerns, especially as one of the deceased was a 12-year-old student who was inadvertently struck by gunfire while at home.
The protests, deemed an urgent response to Kenya's long-standing struggle for democracy, devolved into chaos across 17 of the country's 47 counties. As demonstrators shouted slogans like “Ruto must go,” demands intensified for President William Ruto's resignation. In light of the increased violence, the KHRCR called for accountability from all parties involved, including police and civilians.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed profound concern, noting that these recent deaths follow a disturbing trend of violence, with at least 19 protest-related deaths recorded just weeks earlier. Calls for urgent investigations into the killings have surfaced from various rights groups, while the Interior Minister praised police for maintaining order, accusing protesters of being infiltrated by criminal elements.
Opposition leaders claimed government complicity in the violence, alleging that unmarked police vehicles were utilized to transport armed thugs to opposition strongholds. This situation has prompted calls for a national boycott of businesses linked to Ruto’s administration, with opposition figures asserting that state-sponsored violence is threatening the country.
Kenya's Chief Justice has warned that the increasing violence could dismantle the nation’s democratic institutions. Meanwhile, the ongoing protests, largely led by the younger generation, demand improved governance, accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality, continuing a wave of dissent that has been building over the past year. According to reports, over 140 individuals have lost their lives in protests throughout 2023, underscoring the urgency of this situation.
