At least 16 killed in Kenya as unrest anniversary protests turn deadly

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Nairobi: According to local media reports and writers by Reuters, at least 16 people were killed during a protest across Kenya on Wednesday on the occasion of last year’s deadly unrest.

According to Amnesty Kenya, most of the dead were shot by police.

The demonstrations, which began peacefully, became rapidly violent in some areas when police used tear gas, water cannons and live bullets to break the crowd in the capital Nairobi, just a year later a deadly demonstration against the tax bill resulted in a storm in parliament.

Amnesty Kenya’s Executive Director, Erzo Hutin, told Reuters, some protesters collided with police, and 16 people were confirmed by 8:30 am. “Global Rights Watchdog confirmed the data along with the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights (KCHR).

“Most of the police killed,” Hutin said, saying that at least five of the victims were shot dead.

The government -run CHR had earlier said that eight deaths were reported across the country, all of which were “allegedly caused by bullet wounds”.

“More than 400 casualties, including protesters, police officers and journalists, have been reported,” KCHR said in a statement published on its official X account.

The heavy presence of police at the rights organization and “excessive use charges, including rubber bullets, live ammunition, and water cannons, resulting in many injuries.”

Kenyan police spokesman Mochi Niaga refused to comment on the statements issued by Amnesty Kenya and KHR.

At least 61 people were arrested during the protest, another state -owned agency, Independent Policing Overseas (IPOA), said in a statement.

The facility has received dozens of injured people, a source at the capital’s Central Kenyta National Hospital said.

Sources cited both rubber bullets and live rounds, “107 confessed, mostly injured with gun bullets.” He added that no deaths were reported in KNH.

Kenya Power, a national power provider, said one of his security guard was shot dead while patrolling his headquarters in Nairobi.

Earlier, in the scenes broadcast by the Kenya Channel NTV, the large mob was seen moving towards the president’s official residence. Both NTV and another broadcaster, KTN, were removed from the air after violating the order to stop direct coverage of the protest.

Channels started broadcasting on Wednesday after suspending a directive issued by the Channel Communications Authority.

Angry at the police behavior.

According to NTV, isolated clashes were also reported in Mambasa, which staged a protest in cities, including Katingella, Casey, Matu and Nerry.

Although President William Roto returned to the proposal to increase taxes last year, the protests decreased last year, the public anger remains on the heavy -handed view of the security forces. Fresh demonstrations spread over the death of a blogger this month while in police custody.

Six people, including three police officers, were charged with the murder of 31 -year -old blogger and teachers Albert Ojang on Tuesday. Everyone has requested not to be guilty.

Ojwang’s death has targeted the nerves with many Kenya, still mourning those who died in last year’s protests, who were widely charged with police violence and this happened in connection with unknown disappearances.

Demonstrators Lamomba Harmony told Reuters in Nairobi, “We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths, Kenya and those who have died June 25 … We want justice.”

Extraordinary scenes of June 25, 2024 – in which police opened the fire, saying that protesters violated obstacles to the parliament of the storm – calling the most serious crisis in Kenya’s international allies and mobilizing the alarm.