A total of 23 people have been confirmed dead following the anti-Finance Bill protests on that rocked the country on Tuesday June 25, 2024.
In a joint press briefing, as the world marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Police Reforms Working Group, said that the 23 were killed by police.
100 other people are nursing injuries.
“Between 7 am and 6pm on Tuesday, the Police Reforms Working (PRWG) recorded 23 deaths across the country, caused by police fire, arrested over 53 innocent people at night and abducted over 17 more. At least 100 more are nursing gunshot wounds,” said KHRC Executive Director David Malombe.
Malombe further blamed President William Ruto, for the deaths of the protestors.
“Ruto has overseen a planned and executable massacre against peaceful protesters who came out across the country to peacefully reject the punitive Finance Bill, 2024. Responsibility lies squarely with Ruto, even though he was not presently on the street. He cannot escape accountability. Adamson Bungei, the immediate former Nairobi Police Commander, is equally liable.”
“There is nothing that justifies the use of live bullets on protesters. But this regime positioned snipers to shoot and kill unarmed protesters,” the Human Rights groups further said, and went on to condemn the killings that were witnessed in Githurai 45, on Tuesday evening.
This is however contrary to the number that Ruto had earlier issued. In his statement, the president said that only 6 people were killed in the protests.
