KNCHR reports 22 injured in protests, blames police and goons

Police lob teargas to disperse protesters along Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported 22 people injured during Tuesday's protests in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.

In a statement, the commission said police shot a peaceful protester at close range in Nairobi's central business district.

The protester was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital and remained in critical condition as of 7 p.m.

KNCHR said the other injuries ranged from gunshot wounds and head cuts to whip lashes, blunt trauma and asthma attacks linked to tear gas.

The commission condemned the arrest of several protesters, including four human rights defenders in Mombasa, saying they had followed due process by notifying police of the planned demonstrations.

"These arrests are unlawful and unjustified," said Vice Chairperson Raymond Nyeris, adding, "We call for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained."

Nyeris said most protesters remained peaceful, despite provocation and attacks by masked men on motorbikes who roamed Nairobi's streets wielding crude weapons like tyre whips and wooden bars.

"We witnessed goons viciously assault and rob protesters and civilians as police looked on," noted Nyeris.

KNCHR also criticised police for concealing their identities by masking their faces and covering vehicle registration plates, in defiance of a court ruling requiring full identification of officers deployed to protests.

"When police operate outside the law, they invite disorder and undermine public trust," added Nyeris.

The commission said many businesses in Nairobi shut down due to looting and vandalism linked to the gangs.