The death toll from Kenya’s Saba Saba protests on July 7 has sparked a growing outcry as the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the National Police Service (NPS) issued sharply differing accounts of the casualties and events.
According to KNCHR, 31 people were killed, 107 injured, two forcibly disappeared, and 532 arrested during the nationwide demonstrations. The commission’s update, released on the evening of July 8, also highlighted widespread destruction of property, though no valuation has been given.
KNCHR vice chairperson Raymond Nyeris termed the findings “deeply troubling,” condemning the human rights violations witnessed. “We are actively monitoring and following up on all reports related to the protests,” he said, urging all stakeholders including police and civilians to be held accountable. Nyeris also called on Kenyans to report rights abuses through the commission’s official channels, while extending condolences to affected families.
In contrast, the NPS maintained that 11 people had died as a result of protest-related incidents. In a statement issued by police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, the NPS reported that 52 police officers and 11 civilians were injured, and 567 individuals were arrested, including Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji.
The police described the protests as marred by “acts of lawlessness,” including attacks on officers and looting. They reported damage to 19 vehicles — 12 police, three government, and four civilian-owned. Despite these claims, the NPS praised its officers for demonstrating “exceptional restraint and professionalism.”
This stark discrepancy between the state and the independent human rights body has intensified public scrutiny over the conduct of security forces and the government’s handling of civil dissent.
As pressure mounts for transparency, rights groups and affected families are calling for an independent inquiry into the events of Saba Saba. The demand for justice and accountability grows louder, as the nation grapples with the consequences of what began as a call for reform but ended in violence, death, and a deeply divided narrative.
