February 9, 2025
Gov't Rights Watchdog Confirms 39 Deaths From The Anti-Finance Bill Protests

Gov’t Rights Watchdog Confirms 39 Deaths From The Anti-Finance Bill Protests

The national rights watchdog said Monday that 39 people were killed in anti-government protests in Kenya that erupted last month over planned tax hikes, more than doubling the number of deaths admitted by the government thus far.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights announced the updated toll on the eve of an expected new round of demonstrations against President William Ruto’s government, led primarily by Generation Z activists.

“Data from our records indicates that thirty-nine people have died and three hundred and sixty-one injured in relation to the protests countrywide,” the state-funded body said in a statement.

KNCHR also added that the figures covered the period from June 18 to July 1.

It also reported 32 cases of “enforced or involuntary disappearances” and 627 arrests of protesters.

“The Commission continues to condemn in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted violence and force that was inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, lawyers, journalists and on safe spaces such as churches, medical emergency centres and ambulances,” it said.

“We maintain that the force used against the protesters was excessive and disproportionate.”

Activists have called for new protests to begin on Tuesday, despite Ruto’s announcement last week that the controversial tax hike bill would be withdrawn.

In a television interview Sunday, Ruto acknowledged that 19 people had died in the protests but insisted he was not to blame.

Gov’t Rights Watchdog Confirms 39 Deaths From The Anti-Finance Bill Protests

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