The number of people who lost their lives during the Saba Saba Day protests on Monday, July 7, has increased to 31. This is according to a new report released by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
In a statement delivered on Tuesday, July 8, KNCHR Vice-Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris confirmed that by 7 p.m., the commission had recorded a higher number of deaths and arrests linked to the protests, which were held across different parts of the country.
The commission also revealed that at least 107 people had been injured during the unrest, and two cases of abduction were also reported. Dr. Nyeris described the Monday protests as “deeply troubling,” highlighting serious human rights violations that occurred during the chaos.
According to the KNCHR, a total of 532 people had been arrested by Tuesday evening. The state-funded body strongly condemned the violations and urged that all individuals responsible—whether civilians or law enforcement officers—should be held accountable for their actions.
The Saba Saba Day protests were intended to mark the 35th anniversary of the historic pro-democracy movement that began on July 7, 1990.
However, the commemorations quickly turned violent as confrontations broke out between protesters and police officers. Authorities had tried to block access to Nairobi’s Central Business District in anticipation of the demonstrations, but clashes still erupted.
Several towns and regions saw intense confrontations, with areas like Kiserian, Ngong, and Kitengela being identified as protest hotspots. In these places, running battles between demonstrators and police were reported throughout the day.
The KNCHR report presents a very different picture from the one provided by the National Police Service (NPS).
On Monday, shortly after order was restored in several areas, NPS released its own statement, claiming that only 11 people had died during the protests. They also said 63 people were injured, 52 of whom were police officers.
The police also reported that 12 police vehicles, three government cars, and four private vehicles were damaged during the protests. However, in its report, KNCHR did not give an estimate of the property loss or the financial damage caused by the unrest.
The scale and intensity of these latest protests have drawn international attention. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has since spoken out, urging Kenyan authorities to address the root causes of the growing disconnect between the government and its citizens.
He emphasized the need for open dialogue and peaceful solutions.
In the meantime, KNCHR has encouraged anyone with information or complaints related to human rights violations during the Monday protests to come forward and report to the commission.
They reiterated their commitment to documenting and responding to all cases of abuse and injustice that may have taken place.
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