KNCHR reports 10 deaths, 29 injuries and 2 abductions on Saba Saba Day
KNCHR reports 10 deaths, 29 injuries and 2 abductions on Saba Saba Day
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported a disturbing death toll from nationwide unrest during this year’s Saba Saba Day commemorations.
In a statement on Monday, July 7, the commission documented ten deaths, 29 injuries, two abductions, and 37 arrests across 17 counties.
KNCHR said it had been closely monitoring the situation and raised concern over what it termed as excessive force, breakdown in public order, and disregard for legal directives by security agencies.
“As of 1830hrs today, the Commission had documented ten (10) fatalities, twenty-nine (29) injuries, two (2) cases of abduction and thirty-seven (37) arrests across seventeen (17) counties,” the statement read.
According to the commission, heavy police barricades severely disrupted movement, particularly in Nairobi and several other regions.
“The Commission noted that significant police barricades were erected on major roads and entry points, severely disrupting the movement of people, particularly in Nairobi. Additional blockades were reported in Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru and Embu,” the statement added.
The roadblocks reportedly hindered many Kenyans from accessing workplaces, despite a directive by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku instructing all civil servants to report to duty.
“Many citizens were unable to report to work, despite the directive issued yesterday by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, requiring all Government employees to report to work without fail,” KNCHR noted.
The commission also reported widespread closure of businesses and the suspension of learning and healthcare due to fear of violence.
“Numerous businesses nationwide remained closed due to fears of looting and destruction. Looting incidents were reported in six (6) counties, and the Kerugoya Central CDF office was set ablaze by suspected criminal elements.
“Learning was paralyzed across the country as most schools and educational institutions remained closed. The Commission received distress calls from patients unable to access health facilities due to road closures. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at roadblocks as public transport, including air and rail, was severely disrupted,” the statement added.
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KNCHR further condemned what it described as the unlawful conduct of law enforcement officers, accusing police of violating a court order requiring officers managing protests to be in uniform and clearly identifiable.
“The KNCHR has noted that the police have continued to flagrantly disregard a High Court order mandating that all officers managing demonstrations be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times.
“The Commission observed numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, traveling in unmarked vehicles while patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado and Nakuru counties,” KNCHR stated.
The commission also raised alarm over the presence of armed criminal gangs in Eldoret and Nairobi cities operating alongside police.
“Additionally, the presence of criminal gangs wielding crude weapons, including whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows and arrows, was noted in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Eldoret. In Nairobi and Eldoret, these hooded gangs were seen operating alongside police officers,” the statement concluded.
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