KNCHR: 38 killed, 130 injured during Saba Saba protests

Protesters carry caskets along Kisii Kisumu highway while chanting the Wantam slogan during Saba Saba protests.[Sammy Omingo, Standard]

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) now says at least 38 people have been killed and 130 injured during the Saba Saba protests across the country, with the majority of those killed being youth under the age of 25.

In a statement released on Saturday, July 11, the Commission said four of the deceased are women and two are children, among them a 12-year-old girl who was shot while watching television at home in Kiambu County.

So far, 15 autopsies have been conducted, with 14 of the victims confirmed to have died from gunshot injuries.

According to the Commission, the deaths have been reported in Kiambu (8), Nairobi (6), Kajiado (6), Nakuru (4), Kirinyaga (3), Murang’a (3), Embu (2), Meru (2), Laikipia (2), Nyandarua (1), and Nyamira (1).

KNCHR has raised concerns over families being asked to pay for postmortem and medical bills, despite a waiver previously issued by the government.

“The families claim they are also being asked to pay the postmortem charges in addition to other medical and mortuary bills, contrary to the waiver issued by the Government. A majority of these families are underprivileged and unable to pay the bills,” KNCHR said, urging the Ministry of Health to act immediately.

“The Commission demands that the Ministry of Health immediately and unconditionally waive all the medical bills incurred by the victims of the Saba Saba demonstrations as earlier indicated by the Government.”