At the very least 400 individuals have been injured, together with cops, in accordance with media studies. The official dying toll has not been confirmed, with estimates starting from eight to 16.
The demonstrations marked the anniversary of final yr’s anti-tax protests, when 60 individuals have been reportedly killed and dozens kidnapped by police.
This yr, anger intensified following the dying of blogger Albert Ojwan, 31, who died in police custody earlier this month.
The demonstrators reportedly focused authorities and police places of work, chanted for the occupation of the presidential residence and attacked, looted and burned retailers and companies in Nairobi.
At a press convention, Kenyan Inside Minister Kipchumba Murkomen accused protestors of making an attempt to unconstitutionally enact “regime change.”
He additionally stated 9 police stations have been attacked, dozens of autos destroyed, and 5 weapons have been stolen.
UN Human Rights response
On Thursday, as smoke nonetheless rose from torched buildings in Nairobi, the UN human rights workplace, OHCHR, launched a statement expressing concern.
Alarmed by studies that protesters had been wounded or killed by gunfire, OHCHR confused that below worldwide human rights legislation, legislation enforcement ought to solely use deadly pressure when strictly obligatory to guard life or forestall critical harm from an imminent risk.
The workplace welcomed the announcement that Kenya’s Unbiased Policing Oversight Authority will examine the incidents and underlined the necessity for “immediate, thorough, unbiased and clear investigations to convey these accountable to justice” and stop recurrence.
OHCHR additionally known as for calm and restraint.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric echoed these considerations on the day by day press briefing in New York, saying: “We’re clearly involved in regards to the violence we now have seen in Kenya. We’re intently monitoring the state of affairs. We’re very saddened by the lack of life.”
He additionally reiterated considerations over the reported gunshot wounds and welcomed plans for oversight investigations.
