At least ten people were Monday killed in separate places during the Saba Saba protests held in 17 counties.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said there were 29 injuries, two cases of abduction and 37 arrests.
The shooting incidents happened in Ngong, Thika, Juja, Embu, Kangemi in Nairobi and Dagoretti among others.
The Commission said it noted that significant police barricades were erected on major roads and entry points, severely disrupting the movement of people, particularly in Nairobi.
“Additional blockades were reported in Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru and Embu.”
“Many citizens were unable to report to work, despite the directive issued yesterday by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, requiring all Government employees to report to work without fail,” said the commission.
Numerous businesses nationwide remained closed due to fears of looting and destruction, it added in a statement.
Looting incidents were reported in six counties, and the Kerugoya Central CDF office was set ablaze by suspected criminal elements.
Further, learning was paralyzed across the country as most schools and educational institutions remained closed.
The commission received distress calls from patients unable to access health facilities due to road closures. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at roadblocks as public transport, including air and rail, was severely disrupted.
“The KNCHR has noted that the police have continued to flagrantly disregard a High Court order mandating that all officers managing demonstrations be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times.”
The commission observed numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, traveling in unmarked vehicles while patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado and Nakuru counties.
Additionally, the presence of criminal gangs wielding crude weapons, including whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows and arrows, was noted in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Eldoret. In Nairobi and Eldoret, these hooded gangs were seen operating alongside police officers.
The commission further condemned the attack on Sunday by hired thugs who raided the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), brutalizing staff and innocent members of the public lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and expression.
Journalists covering the event at KHRC were also harassed and robbed.
“The commission calls for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the masterminds and perpetrators of this attack, who were clearly captured on CCTV footage.
The commission is deeply concerned by the recent surge in harassment and persecution of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) accused of organizing the ongoing protests. In the past week alone, over 20 bona fide HRDs have been beaten, arrested, charged or summoned by police to record statements.
“The KNCHR calls on the Government to immediately cease the harassment of Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Defenders and the criminalization of legitimate human rights work.”
“The Commission remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to protect the rights of all persons in Kenya. We urge the public to report any human rights violations,” said the statement.
The protests had been called to mark 35 years since the start of Saba Saba which called for multiparty system.
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