Death Toll from Kenya’s Anti-Government Protests Climbs to 31, Sparking National Outrage
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has confirmed that the death toll from Monday’s anti-government protests has surged to 31, up from the previously reported 11, intensifying public outrage and demands for accountability.
According to the state-run rights body, over 100 individuals sustained injuries, while at least 532 protesters were arrested during the demonstrations, which erupted in Nairobi and spread across several major cities.
The United Nations expressed grave concern over the use of force, condemning the Kenyan police for deploying “lethal ammunition” against demonstrators.
Tensions have been mounting across the country, especially following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month — a case that reignited protests one year after youth-led demonstrations against tax hikes saw crowds breach parliament.
Originally organized to honor Kenya’s long battle for democratic freedoms, Monday’s protests quickly turned violent, with deadly confrontations recorded in 17 of the nation’s 47 counties.
