Kenya’s National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that 31 people died during Monday’s nationwide anti-government protests, more than tripling the earlier toll of 10.
The protests coincided with Saba Saba day, commemorating the 1990 uprising against autocratic rule under then-president Daniel arap Moi. Clashes between police and protesters erupted on Nairobi’s outskirts, with the KNCHR accusing police of cooperating with armed gangs amid the violence.
Alongside the deaths, the commission reported two forced disappearances, 532 arrests, and 107 injuries during the marches. The KNCHR condemned all human rights violations and called for accountability from police, civilians, and other stakeholders involved.
Since June 2024, a wave of protests led mostly by young Kenyans has swept the country, sparked by anger over economic hardship, corruption, and police brutality.
These protests, initially triggered by proposed tax hikes, have been met with harsh police repression across Kenya.
Monday’s fatalities raise the total death toll in the ongoing protests to over 100, highlighting the deepening crisis facing the nation. The KNCHR, an independent public institution, continues to monitor the situation and urges restraint and respect for human rights.
As Kenya marks a historic day of resistance, the country faces mounting pressure to address long-standing grievances and restore peace.Kenya’s anti-government protests turn deadly with 31 killed nationwide