The country’s Human Rights Commission said the number of people killed in Kenya’s anti-government protests on Monday has risen to 31.
The State-owned Commission had previously said 11 people died.
Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KHRCR) said more than 100 people were injured and about 532 people were arrested in protests that attacked Nairobi and other major cities.
The killings deeply plagued Kenyan police use of “deadly ammunition” against protesters, the United Nations said.
Kenyan police still say 11 people have died.
Tensions in the country have increased since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang last month, bringing people back to the streets, and a year later, young protesters rushed into the parliament that was irritated by the tax wave.
According to local media reports, the protests on Monday were intended to commemorate Kenya’s decades-long democratic struggle, but they quickly escalated into deadly conflict in 17 of the country’s 47 counties.
Many of the people who manifest as “Ruto must go” and “Wantam,” meaning “a term,” a popular rally call asking President William Ruto to leave the office.
exist Statement issued KHRCR said late Tuesday that the sharp rise in death toll was “disturbing”.
It added: “KHRCR strongly condemns all human rights violations and urges all responsible parties, including police, civilians and all other stakeholders.”
The Commission also documented extensive looting and destruction of public and private property by unidentified individuals.
A 12-year-old student was killed at Kiambu’s home in the outskirts of the capital, and was hit by a wandering bullet at Kiambu’s home, local media reported.
“The latest incidents were reportedly only two weeks after the killing of more than 15 protesters injured in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya on June 25,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Sharmdasani.
“Use deadly ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons,” Sharmdasani added.
At least two hospitals were damaged after unidentified attackers raided facilities and stole medical equipment and harassed staff, Reuters reported.
Religious and rights groups demand a swift and independent investigation into killings, property destruction and arbitrary arrests.
However, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen praised the police for curbing the protests, which he said was infiltrated by criminals.
Opposition leaders accused the government of deploying unmarked police cars to transport armed gangs to protests to sense opposition strongholds.
They called for a national boycott of all businesses under President Ruto’s government, accusing his administration of deploying state-funded violence and extrajudicial killings against Kenyans.
“This regime is hostile. It cannot be understood. It must be resisted. We will not rest. We will not retreat. We will not surrender.” The opposition said in a joint statement.
Kenya’s chief justice Martha Koome warned the country about the growing violence protests, saying they risked the country’s democratic structure.
Monday’s demonstrations, organized primarily by so-called young people, demand good governance, greater responsibility and justice for victims of police brutality, continue to have a wave of anti-government protests since last year.
On June 25, at least 19 people were killed, and thousands of businesses were robbed and destroyed on a day of national protests in honor of those killed in last year’s anti-tax protests.
According to the Star, more than 140 people have been killed in protests since 2023.
