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KNCHR dismisses Ruto's claim of fake data on alleged Githurai killings

A screen grab of a section of Githurai as captured from a video taken on the night of June 25, 2024, when police conducted an operation in the area following a day of violent protests against the Finance Bill, 2024. (Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, June 30, 2024

In a statement following the president’s interview, the commission clarified that it did not issue any statement regarding the Githurai incident since it did not have adequate details.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has dismissed President William Ruto’s claim that it released fake data about an alleged massacre in Githurai during last week's street protests against the Finance Bill, 2024.

Ruto spoke on live television on Sunday night, in a roundtable interview he requested, which was broadcast from the State House in Nairobi with Linus Kaikai (Citizen TV), Joe Ageyo (NTV), and Eric Latiff (KTN).

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“The same Kenya National Commission on Human Rights told the nation that there was a massacre in Githurai …. That 20 people were killed in Githurai. Were 20 people killed in Githurai, really? The same KNCHR told the country blatant fake news, falsehoods that there was a massacre,” Ruto said.

In a statement following the president’s interview, the commission clarified that it did not issue any statement regarding the Githurai incident since it did not have adequate details.

“The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has not issued any statement on Githurai. During the last press conference, we were clear that we did not have adequate information. We are still in the process of confirming the happenings in Githurai, Rongai, Migori, Nakuru, and other parts of the country,” read the statement.

It added that they have only accounted for 24 deaths so far, arising from anti-government protests, following Ruto’s insistence during the interview that the records showed the number was 19.

“From the data in our possession, we had reports of 22 deaths arising from the protests as of Wednesday when we made our statement, and that is what we reported. As of today, our data shows 24 deaths from the time the protests began to date. We continue to condole with the bereaved and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the KNCHR said.

It noted that it had closely monitored the demonstrations since June 18 as a statutory body mandated to protect and promote human rights.

On, June 26, the KNCHR faulted the National Police Service for using excessive force on protesters, indicating that its investigations showed at least 20 Kenyans were killed by anti-riot police officers firing live bullets in various parts of the country.

It added that 336 protesters and police officers sustained various injuries during the demonstrations, ranging from fractures, bullet wounds, soft tissue wounds, and the effects of tear gas inhalation.

“The ones injured severely were referred to hospitals for specialised treatment," the commission said.

Ruto promised accountability by anyone who acted lawlessly during the protests, whether members of the public, criminals he said infiltrated the protests, or police officers who disregarded the law.

He also assured parents whose children died on the streets that they would have explanations and that those responsible for the deaths would be investigated, arranged starting Monday, and appropriately punished.