Thirty-one people lost their lives during Monday’s nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) confirmed on Tuesday — more than tripling the earlier figure of 10.
The commission also reported two forced disappearances following the demonstrations, which were held to commemorate the Saba Saba uprising of July 7, 1990, a pivotal moment in Kenya’s push for multi-party democracy under former President Daniel arap Moi.
Clashes broke out between protesters and police in parts of the capital, Nairobi. The KNCHR accused security forces of working alongside armed gangs amid the unrest.
Beyond the fatalities and disappearances, the commission documented 532 arrests and 107 injuries during the Saba Saba Day protests.
“The KNCHR strongly condemns all human rights violations and calls for accountability from all parties involved — including police officers, civilians, and other stakeholders,” it stated on Tuesday evening.
The KNCHR, an independent public institution, had initially reported 10 deaths and 29 injuries on Monday evening but revised the figures after further verification.
Since protests erupted in June 2024 over proposed tax hikes, Kenya has witnessed repeated demonstrations, particularly led by disillusioned youth demanding economic justice, an end to corruption, and a halt to police brutality.
Security forces have responded with force, and the updated toll pushes the total number of deaths since the unrest began to over 100.