10 dead, 29 injured and two abducted as Saba Saba protests rock 17 counties - KNCHR

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead following the Saba Saba Day demonstrations held across the country on Monday, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

In a statement, KNCHR Vice Chairperson Dr Raymond Nyeris said by 6:30 pm, the Commission had recorded 10 fatalities, 29 injuries, two abductions and 37 arrests across 17 counties as protests turned violent in various regions.

“The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is closely monitoring the ongoing situation as the country commemorates the historic Saba Saba Day,” the Commission said.

According to the Commission, major road barricades and police blockades erected across Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru and Embu disrupted the free movement of citizens, forcing many to stay home despite the Government’s order requiring civil servants to report to work.

“Many citizens were unable to report to work, despite the directive issued yesterday by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, requiring all government employees to report to work without fail,” Nyeris said.

Businesses also shut down in fear of looting and property damage, with KNCHR confirming looting incidents in six counties. In Kerugoya, the Central Constituency Development Fund (CDF) office was reportedly torched by suspected criminal elements.

Learning across the country was also paralysed as most schools remained closed, and access to healthcare services was severely affected.

“The Commission received distress calls from patients unable to access health facilities due to road closures,” the Commission said.

KNCHR further condemned disruptions to public transport, including air and rail services, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The rights body accused the police of “flagrantly disregarding” a High Court order requiring officers managing demonstrations to be in uniform and easily identifiable.

Instead, KNCHR said, “Numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, were observed in unmarked vehicles patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado and Nakuru.”

The Commission also expressed alarm over the “unlawful presence” of criminal gangs armed with crude weapons such as whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows and arrows operating in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Eldoret, sometimes alongside police officers.

“In Nairobi and Eldoret, these hooded gangs were seen operating alongside police officers,” the Commission said.

KNCHR further condemned Sunday’s attack on its offices, where “hired thugs brutalised staff and innocent members of the public lawfully exercising their constitutional rights.” Journalists covering the attack were also harassed and robbed.

“We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the masterminds and perpetrators of this attack, who were captured on CCTV footage,” Nyeris said.

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• 29 injured and two abducted as Saba Saba protests rock 17 counties - KNCHR

The Commission also raised concern over the “increased harassment and persecution of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs)” in connection with the protests. The Commission said over 20 HRDs have been beaten, arrested, charged or summoned by police in the past week alone.

KNCHR called on the Government to immediately end what it termed the “criminalisation of legitimate human rights work,” adding that civil society groups and HRDs should not be targeted for exercising constitutional freedoms.

“The Commission remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to protect the rights of all persons in Kenya,” Nyeris said.

Members of the public have now been urged to report any human rights violations through the following channels: SMS: 22359, email: [email protected], WhatsApp: 0798 849 871 and toll-free line: 0800 720 627.