UN slams Kenyan Government over police killings during June 25 memorial protests

The United Nations Human Rights Commission has strongly criticised the Kenyan Government over the alleged killing of protesters by police during the June 25 demonstrations, describing the incident as deeply troubling and a breach of both domestic and international laws.

In a statement released on Thursday by Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, the agency expressed alarm over reports that multiple protesters lost their lives while several others, including police officers, sustained injuries during nationwide demonstrations held on Wednesday.

The commission singled out President William Ruto’s administration for allegedly violating constitutional rights by attempting to stifle peaceful assembly and free expression.

"We are deeply concerned by reports of several deaths of protesters and many more injuries to protesters and police officers during demonstrations in Kenya on Wednesday," read part of the statement.

Throssell noted disturbing accounts that "some protesters had gunshot wounds," adding that under international law, the use of lethal force by law enforcement should only be used when strictly necessary in order to protect life or prevent serious injury from an imminent threat."

The commission said that under international human rights law, the use of lethal force by police is only justified in situations where it is strictly necessary to protect life or prevent serious injury from an imminent threat.

The UN insisted that dispersing protesters by force undermines the principles of democracy.

"The rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are cornerstones of the rule of law and must be respected and upheld by all," the statement continued.

The organisation also called on the government to act swiftly in investigating the incidents and ensuring accountability for those responsible.

It urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of officers during the protests.

"We underscore the importance of prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations to bring those responsible to justice per due process and to prevent recurrence," said the UN.

It called for perpetrators to be brought to justice "in accordance with due process" and urged Kenyan authorities to prevent recurrence.

The UN's call to action is both a censure and a warning: the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, Throssell underscored, are "cornerstones of the rule of law and must be respected and upheld by all."

The condemnation follows reports that over 16 people were killed during the protests, with police brutality widely blamed for the deaths.

The demonstrations were staged to mark one year since the killing of young protesters outside the Parliament Buildings in June 2024.

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Although initially peaceful, the protests later turned chaotic, with tear gas canisters fired and scuffles reported between demonstrators and police in various parts of the country.