Kenya: Updated Casualty Report Confirms 31 Deaths Linked to July 7 Protests

Edited By : Tendai Zola

An updated report released by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) on Tuesday confirms that 31 people died during anti-government demonstrations held on Monday, July 7, across the country. The protests coincided with Saba Saba Day, a date commemorating the 1990 pro-democracy movement in Kenya.

The Commission also recorded 107 injuries, two cases of enforced disappearance, and 532 arrests. In its statement, the KNCHR called on all actors involved — including law enforcement, civilians, and other stakeholders — to adhere to human rights standards and be held accountable for any violations.

The protests are part of a larger wave of public demonstrations that began in June 2024, following the introduction of a budget law that sparked criticism, particularly among younger segments of the population. Previous protests have also resulted in fatalities and widespread detentions.

Security forces were deployed in large numbers on Monday, and major roads into Nairobi were closed. While the capital remained mostly quiet, clashes were reported in several peripheral areas. The KNCHR had initially reported 10 deaths, a figure that was revised in its latest update.

In a response to the developments, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, Ravina Shamdasani, expressed concern and emphasized that lethal force should only be used when strictly necessary to protect life, in accordance with international legal standards.

Following unrest on June 25, in which 19 people were reported killed, authorities stated they had disrupted a possible attempt to destabilize the government. Protest leaders, on the other hand, claimed that unidentified armed individuals had been used to discredit the demonstrations. On Tuesday, the government announced that 37 individuals arrested during those protests would face charges related to terrorism.

Observers note that the events are taking place in a politically sensitive context, and that the ongoing tensions have raised questions regarding law enforcement protocols and the broader environment for public expression.

Kenya has historically been regarded as a stable democracy in East Africa, and developments are being closely monitored by both domestic institutions and international partners.