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KNCHR reports 39 deaths, 32 forced disappearances during anti-tax demos

A man kicks a tear gas cannister at a demonstration over police killings of people protesting against the Finance Bill 2024/2025, in Nairobi on June 27, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi)

By Mary Wambui | Monday, July 1, 2024

On the issue of abductions and arbitrary arrests, the commission cited 32 reported cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances and 627 arrests.

Thirty-nine individuals died in the last two weeks of anti-Finance Bill protests, according to the latest data by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

Chairperson Roseline Odede also reported that 361 individuals countrywide suffered various injuries.

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"This is cumulative data from June 18, 2024, to July 1, 2024. Postmortems for most of the victims are yet to be concluded," she said in the statement on Monday evening.

According to the commission's analysis, Nairobi County accounts for most of the deaths at 17, followed by Uasin Gishu at four, Mombasa, and Nakuru and Kajiado at three each.

Kisumu County accounted for two while Laikipia, Narok, Kakamega, Kisii, Siaya, Kiambu and Nandi each recorded one death.

Data from @HakiKNCHR 's records indicates that 39 people have died & 361 injured in relation to the protests countrywide.

This is the fourth report that KNCHR is issuing to the public on
the Status of Human Rights in the ensuing protests.
(Read more) pic.twitter.com/8qvi0yRVq5
— KNCHR (@HakiKNCHR) July 1, 2024

Odede consoled victims' families and strongly condemned the unwarranted force and violence inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, and journalists, as well as on safe spaces like churches, medical emergency centres, and ambulances.

"We maintain that the force used against the protesters was excessive and disproportionate," she said.

On the issue of abductions and arbitrary arrests, the commission cited 32 reported cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances and 627 arrests. It also noted reports that some people were still in hiding due to threats on their lives by unknown persons.

"The commission reiterates that the government has an obligation to facilitate the rights of protesters through the provision of security to ensure law and order," the statement said.

The KNCHR further strongly condemned acts of violence and "shocking" acts of lawlessness exhibited by some of the protesters leading to the destruction and burning of critical government infrastructure including Parliament buildings, a national library, a county court in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, and the office of the Nairobi governor.

"We also have reports of the wanton destruction of property linked to politicians in Molo, Eldoret, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Embu," Odede said and cautioned that threats of violence and open hostility against politicians were unacceptable.

"Rights have obligations and we urge restraint, respect for the rule of law by all, and non-violation of the rights of others," the commission implored the public.