Death toll from Kenya’s latest anti-government protest surges to 31
[July 09, 2025]
By EVELYNE MUSAMBI
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The death toll from Kenya’s anti-government
protests on Monday has surged to 31, marking the highest single-day toll
since the demonstrations began earlier this year, the state-funded human
rights commission said Tuesday.
It said another 107 people were injured and more than 500 were arrested
amid widespread destruction of property, including supermarkets. The
arrest figure largely tracked with the one issued by police. The death
toll did not say whether any security forces were included.
For weeks, youth and other citizens have taken to the streets to protest
against police brutality and poor governance and to demand President
William Ruto’s resignation over alleged corruption and the rising cost
of living.
Ruto has not commented on Monday's protest or its toll.
The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday
urged that the grievances leading to the protests are addressed.
Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said he “renews his call for calm and
restraint, and full respect for the freedoms of expression, association
and peaceful assembly.”
Monday’s demonstrations, which were met with police roadblocks
preventing access to downtown Nairobi, were planned to coincide with the
35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba pro-democracy protests. Saba
Saba is Swahili for Seven Seven.
July 7 holds deep significance in Kenya, marking the first major
pro-democracy protests in 1990 that called on then-President Daniel arap
Moi — Ruto’s political mentor — to transition from a one-party state to
a multiparty democracy. That demand was realized during the 1992 general
elections.
[to top of second column]
|
This year's wave of protests was sparked by a blogger's death in
police custody last month. Police shot a civilian at close range
during a protest on June 17. On June 25, thousands of youths turned
out across the country.
A total of 50 people have been killed in the protests over the last
two weeks.
The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a government
body whose commissioners are appointed by the president, on Tuesday
urged politicians not to fuel ethnic tensions and criticized police
for using excessive force towards protesters.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen last week told police to “shoot
on sight” anyone who approaches police stations during protests
after several were burned.
The public anger has built on Ruto's efforts to make Kenyans pay
more to help pay off massive government debt. Last year, thousands
of young people protesting rising taxes stormed parliament, leading
Ruto to promise to cut government spending.
With some people taking advantage of the chaos, some businesses have
said they have lost large amounts of goods.
"They invaded our shop, and by the way, we have lost so many things.
We lost cash, phones, a lot of them,” mobile phone seller Nancy
Gicharu said.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
