Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has confirmed that 25 people lost their lives during the recent nationwide protests against the Finance Bill. Speaking on Citizen TV, Kindiki also reported that 400 individuals were injured, including 43 police officers.
Kindiki emphasized the accuracy of these figures, stating, “I did present and brief the Cabinet on what has transpired in our country during the last two weeks and part of that outcome is that we have lost 25 people as of now. Kenyans who died in very unfortunate circumstances. Nearly 400 people were injured including 43 police officers.”
He addressed discrepancies in death toll reports, noting, “I have heard of other figures but I also heard earlier on that there was a massacre in Githurai from other sources which turned out not to be true. I don’t want to cast aspersions at anybody but I want to tell the people of Kenya that we’ve lost 25 people.”
Various organizations have reported higher death tolls. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) stated that it confirmed 41 deaths and over 360 injuries, primarily due to police action. The KHRC also reported that 627 people were arrested during the protests.
On July 1, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported 39 deaths and 361 injuries during the protests. According to KNCHR, the deceased were from Nairobi (17), Nakuru (3), Laikipia (1), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (1), Kisumu (2), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1), and Nandi (1).
Despite the conflicting reports, Kindiki assured that any allegations of police excesses during the protests would be thoroughly investigated, and culpable officers would be held accountable.
