Four weeks of anti-state protests claim 50 lives, leaves 413 injured

A total of 50 people have lost their lives since the beginning of the anti-government protests across the country, now in their fourth week.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Chairperson Roseline Odede revealed that some victims succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment, while others were found among the debris of the burned Sunbeam Mall in Nairobi.

According to the Commission, Nairobi leads with the highest number of deaths at 21, Nakuru (3), Laikipia (2), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (2), Kisumu (3), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1), Nandi (1), Embu (1), Homabay (1), Nyeri (1) and Bungoma (1).

Alongside the fatalities, 413 individuals have been injured, and 59 people have either been abducted or are missing. Additionally, 682 people have been arbitrarily arrested.

The Commission said that despite the continued calls for a stop to the abductions, the kidnappings, illegal arrests, and torture of innocent Kenyans are continuing.

“We condemn the abductions and arrests and demand an immediate and unconditional release of all the illegally detained persons in relation to the protests. The Commission has moved the court for orders of Habeas Corpus in a quest to seek accountability for missing and abducted persons,” Odede said.

She noted that those found guilty of the killings and injuries of innocent Kenyans, whether civilians or security agents, should be charged.

Odede emphasised that the Commission shall also pursue command responsibility for all documented instances of police brutality and excesses.

“We also call upon His Excellency the President to honour his commitment to respecting the rule of law by issuing a zero-tolerance directive on human rights violations to all the deployed security agencies,” she said.

The Inspector General of Police, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have also been urged to speed up investigations and prosecution of all persons, including police officers, found culpable of human rights violations in the context of policing the demonstrations.

Protesters erect a mockery grave along Koinange Street in Nairobi during the Tuesday, July 16, 2024 anti-government demos. (Photo: Barack Oduor)

“This should be conducted in a transparent and accountable manner by providing regular updates,” Odede added.

As anti-government protesters continued with their demonstrations on Tuesday, July 16, the Commission called upon the police to accord them security in line with the law.

Protestors have also been urged to conduct themselves within the confines of the law while exercising their rights under Article 37 of the Constitution.

“This right comes with the responsibility of exercising it when peaceful and unarmed. Any departure from these minimum standards negates this right. The Commission will be closely monitoring compliance with these constitutional and statutory obligations,” she said.

The Commission reiterated that it will continue to discharge its constitutional duty of protecting and promoting the rights of all Kenyans.

Meanwhile, the Commission also condemned the Kware killings at Mukuru kwa Njenga, where 10 bodies, all of them women, have so far been recovered.

On Monday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) arrested Collins Jumaisi, who is the main suspect linked to the killings. According to the police, Jumaisi confessed to having killed 42 women and dumped them at the same dump site.

The Commission said the killings are a great violation of human rights and Article 26 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life for every human being.

“We condole with families that have lost their loved ones in these heinous killings. Even as we await post-mortem results from the forensic teams, the Commission has commenced its independent investigations on the matter and will be issuing a comprehensive statement on the matter once the inquiry is complete,” Odede said.

“We call on anyone with information or concerns touching on violations of human rights during the protests or the Mukuru killings to contact us via SMS-22359, email [email protected], or on our Toll-Free Line at 0800 720 627.”