Protesters during June 25 Anniversary of the Gen Z who died in 2024 Anti-Finance Bill Protests in Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy.
The Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR), confirmed on Friday, June 27 evening, of 19 deaths from June, Wednesday 25 protests across the country.
According to KNCHR, 531 protesters were injured, 15 forced disappearances, 179 arrests, 2 cases of individual rape, 2 cases of gang rape and 1 attempted gang rape.
KNCHR called for accountability from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Police Service (NPS) to ensure those responsible are held to accountable to take responsibility of their unlawful acts, in accordance with the law.
“The Commission strongly condemns all Human Rights violations and urge accountability from all responsible parties. We once send our message of condolence to those who lost their loved ones and wish a quick recovery to those nursing injuries,” KHCHR stated.
However, during his address to the Nation after accessing the impact of damage at Nairobi CBD, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen said that the victims of the protests will not be compensated by the government.
Murkomen explained that Parliament should enact a law that defines compensation for such victims and also impose stiffer penalties on protest organisers. He highlighted the need for protests to be regulated to hold the organisers to account if property is either destroyed or looted.
“Unfortunately, Parliament has not allocated a budget for compensating those whose properties were looted in such situations and we don’t have any allocation as a government to do so. If we were to provide budget that would compensate people all the time whenever properties are looted, then the best law is that protest organisers should bear the greatest responsibility,” Murkomen explained.
The government has continued to receive criticism over their remarks on the June 25 protests, with Kenyans arguing their disregard to human life and lack of upholding the Constitution.
Additionally, Murkomen gave a shoot to kill order to police officers to anyone who tries to approach the police stations, remarks he said were misinterpreted by the public.
