Amid reports of alleged police brutality, two young men, Rex Kanyike Masai and Evans Kiratu, lost their lives during the tax hike protests

Rex Kanyike. (Courtesy)

During the ongoing protests rejecting the Finance Bill 2024, two energetic young men unfortunately lost their lives. Rex Kanyike (29), succumbed to a gunshot wound in his thigh while Evans Kiratu (21), was hit by a tear gas canister during the protest. The protests were mostly led by Kenyan Gen Z and despite being peaceful and orderly, teargas and water canons were deployed liberally by police.

The family of Evans Kiratu spoke on Citizen TV and his aunt stated that her nephew lost his life in hospital even before she could see him. "We are demanding justice for my nephew," she said. In a statement, Ernest Cornel ,a spokesperson at the Kenya Human Rights Commission stated, "He was rushed to hospital at around 6 p.m. on Thursday and died there. It is tragic that a young person can lose his life simply for agitating against the high cost of living."