KNCHR says 19 Killed, 531 Injured in June 25 protests

At least 19 people have been confirmed dead following the June 25 protests in the country.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said those injured so far stand at 531. The national commission said Friday 15 individuals were forcibly disappeared during the protests.

The statement also reported 179 arrests, as well as multiple cases of sexual violence, including two cases of individual rape, two gang rapes, and one attempted gang rape.

KNCHR condemned the violations in the strongest terms and called for accountability from all responsible parties.

“The commission strongly condemns all human rights violations and urge accountability from all responsible parties,” read part of the statement.

It further expressed condolences to the families of those killed and wished a swift recovery to those injured.

The commission also appealed to the public to report any human rights concerns or additional information related to the demonstrations via SMS to 22359, email to complaint@knchr.org, or by calling their toll-free line at 0800 720 627.

The update comes amid growing national and international scrutiny over the government’s handling of the protests, which were largely driven by discontent over economic hardship and police brutality.

The nationwide protests erupted across Kenya, led mainly by Gen Z demonstrators.

The largely peaceful rallies turned violent after police used teargas, water cannons, and live bullets to disperse crowds.

Reports emerged of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and cases of torture and sexual violence.
Several protesters were allegedly abducted by unidentified security agents.

Businesses were also looted and others vandalised after suspected goons infiltrated the protests and caused widespread mayhem across urban areas and Nairobi.

Traders were by Friday still tryinhg to come to terms with the extent of the damage and massive loss even as authorities vowed to take stern action against those involved.

President William Ruto on Friday, for the first time addressed the June 25 protests, terming them as “economic sabotage”.

He pledged decisive action against those found culpable.

He said while the Constitution protects the right to peaceful protest, the events witnessed went far beyond the bounds of lawful expression.

“Even as we celebrate our MSMEs today, we must confront a painful reality. I want to express my deepest regret and condemnation for the loss of lives, looting, wanton destruction, and loss of valuable property belonging to our traders who were deliberately targeted by criminal elements during the protests this week,” Ruto said.

“Let me be clear: the right to peaceful protest is protected by our Constitution. We respect and uphold that right. But what we witnessed was not peaceful protests. It was calculated chaos. It was destruction. It was economic sabotage; let’s call it what it is, that is what it was.”

While regretting the loss of lives, Ruto painted a grim picture of the aftermath, reiterating the burning of businesses, destruction of market stalls, and the decimated livelihoods.

He challenged the public to reflect on the consequences of such chaos, terming the aftermath of the protests as “anarchy dressed in freedom colours.”

“Shops were looted. Businesses, some built over decades, were burned to the ground. Market stalls destroyed. Warehouses ransacked. Investments worth billions of shillings were wiped out in hours. The livelihoods of hardworking Kenyans have been shattered by deliberate acts of lawlessness. It is anarchy dressed in freedom colours. This is disorder disguised as democracy,” he said.

“Is this the Kenya we want? Do we want to build by day, and destroy by night? Do we uphold the law, only to exploit its protections to sow chaos and cripple our economy? Is this what freedom means? Is it freedom to burn what others have built? Those elements doing this are not fighting for freedom; they are attacking freedom.”

Ruto consequently directed security agencies to move with speed in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the rule of law by protecting lives and livelihoods.

“I expect the Inspector-General of Police and all relevant security agencies to conduct immediate, thorough, and speedy investigations. The perpetrators of this violence, looting, and destruction must be identified, unmasked, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, swiftly and decisively,” he said.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said what unfolded in parts of the country was terrorism disguised as dissent.

He also promised action on the planners and executors.

“There was no peaceful demonstration, it was riots, chaos and anarchy,” he said.

“This was not just violence. It was an orchestrated campaign of terror, an assault on our people, our Constitution, our institutions, our values, and the very soul of this Republic.”

He added what was billed as a peaceful protest was, in truth, a calculated disguise, a coordinated descent into chaos masked as civic expression.

“What happened was not spontaneous. It was not random. It was deliberate.

It was coordinate, it was funded, it was premeditated and politically instigated.

The mobilized protestors along Kiambu and Thika roads were chanting “it is time to take over power” and “occupy State House”.”

He said police are carrying out investigations to apprehend and bring to justice the organisers and financiers of this well-orchestrated campaign of violence.

“Rest assured that the government will pursue justice relentlessly on behalf of all affected Kenyans. No person will be spared regardless of their political or financial status.”