Tax hike protests in Kenya killed at least 39 people, says rights watchdog
Al Jazeera
Toll is almost double the figure previously disclosed by the government as activists gear up for new round of protests.
At least 39 people have been killed in recent anti-government protests in Kenya, says the national rights watchdog, as activists gear up for a new round of protests this week.
The toll, announced on Monday by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), is almost double the figure previously disclosed by the government for those killed while demonstrating against a raft of unpopular tax increases that have now been withdrawn.
KNCHR records indicate 39 people have died and 361 have been injured “in relation to the protests countrywide”, the state-funded body said in a statement, adding that the figures covered the period from June 18 to July 1.
It added that there had been 32 cases of “enforced or involuntary disappearances” and 627 arrests of protesters.
Largely peaceful anti-tax rallies – led by mostly young Gen-Z protesters – descended into shocking scenes of deadly violence last Tuesday when lawmakers passed the contentious legislation.
