The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced deep concern over the violent response to the Saba Saba protests in Kenya, where at least 10 civilians were reportedly killed during clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
In a statement released on Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk strongly condemned the use of excessive force by Kenyan police and urged the government to uphold the rights to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and association.
“We are deeply troubled by the killings yesterday of at least 10 people, as well as looting and destruction of property in Kenya as police and other security forces responded to violent protests,” said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. “Lethal ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons were used.”
Türk emphasized the importance of restraint and calm, calling for investigations into the use of force by law enforcement. He reiterated that under international law, lethal force should only be used when absolutely necessary to protect lives from imminent threat.
The July 7 demonstrations, held annually on Saba Saba Day—a historic date commemorating the struggle for multiparty democracy—turned violent in Nairobi and across at least 16 other counties. The National Police Service reported 11 civilian deaths, 567 arrests, and injuries to 52 officers and 11 civilians. Several police, government, and civilian vehicles were damaged.
These protests follow another deadly confrontation on June 25, where 15 civilians were killed during demonstrations against proposed tax hikes. Those protests themselves were part of a broader wave of unrest in June 2024, which left over 60 people dead.
Türk stressed that the underlying grievances driving the protests must be addressed and called on Kenyan authorities to carry out “prompt, thorough, independent, and transparent” investigations into the killings and all allegations of human rights violations.
The UN has also offered to support Kenya in tackling these challenges, reaffirming its commitment to protect human rights and promote peaceful democratic engagement.
As public frustration continues to mount, the international community is closely watching how Kenyan authorities respond in the coming days.
