UN Human Rights Office says ‘deeply troubled’ by Kenya protester deaths
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Kenyan police fire tear gas at demonstrators in Nairobi on July 7, as the UN calls for an independent probe into protester deaths.
UN ‘Deeply Troubled’ by Protest Deaths in Kenya, Urges Independent Probe
Nairobi, Kenya – The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has expressed deep concern over the killing of at least 10 people during Monday’s anti-government protests in Kenya, calling for a thorough and independent investigation into the deadly clashes.
In a statement on Tuesday, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani condemned the use of excessive force by Kenyan police, noting the deployment of lethal and non-lethal ammunition, tear gas, and water cannon to disperse demonstrators.
The protests, led primarily by young Kenyans, were the latest in a series of national demonstrations calling for police accountability, an end to corruption, and action against the soaring cost of living under President William Ruto’s administration.
“We are deeply troubled by the killing of at least 10 people and reports of dozens more injured,” said Shamdasani. “The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urges a full, transparent, and impartial investigation into these incidents.”
Mounting Tensions and a Deadly Pattern
The demonstrations were sparked by the death of a blogger in police custody last month, which intensified public anger over systemic abuses. Further outrage followed the June 17 shooting of a civilian at close range by a police officer.
On June 25, during nationwide protests marking the one-year anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax demonstrations, at least 19 people were killed and more than 400 injured, according to rights groups. That earlier protest commemorated a grim milestone when more than 60 people died in clashes after demonstrators stormed parliament.
Nairobi on Lockdown
On Monday, police erected barricades and blocked major roads leading into Nairobi’s city centre. Businesses shuttered as security forces implemented the strictest containment measures yet, aiming to deter protesters marking Saba Saba – a symbolic date that recalls the country’s 1990 pro-democracy uprising.
The government has so far defended the police response as necessary to maintain order, but critics say the crackdown is eroding civil liberties and stifling freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
International Scrutiny Increases
The UN’s condemnation adds to growing international pressure on Kenya’s leadership to rein in law enforcement and uphold human rights standards.
Civil society groups in Kenya are now calling for reform of the police service, reparations for victims of brutality, and political accountability from the top levels of government.
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