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ARN News Center
a day ago
- Politics
- ARN News Center
16 deaths in Kenya protests, most killed by police, Amnesty Kenya says
Sixteen people died during nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya on Wednesday, most of them killed by police, the head of Amnesty Kenya said, a year after deadly demonstrations against a tax bill culminated in the storming of parliament. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to commemorate last year's demonstrations, in which more than 60 people died, with police firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse them in the capital Nairobi, according to local media and a Reuters witness. Some protesters clashed with police, and 16 people were "verified dead as of 8:30", Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton told Reuters, adding that the figures were verified by the global rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). "Most were killed by police," Houghton said, adding that at least five of the victims had been shot dead. The government-funded KNCHR earlier said eight deaths had been reported across the country, all "allegedly from gunshot wounds". "Over 400 casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists," KNCHR said in a statement shared on its official X account. The watchdog noted heavy police deployment and "allegations of excessive use of force, including rubber bullets, live ammunition and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries". Kenyan police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the statements by Amnesty Kenya or KNCHR. State-funded body Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said in a statement at least 61 people were arrested during the protests. An official at the capital's main Kenyatta National Hospital said the facility had received dozens of wounded people. A total of "107 admitted, most with gunshot injuries," the source said, referring to rubber bullets and live rounds. He added that no deaths had been reported at KNH. National electricity provider Kenya Power said one of its security guards was shot dead while patrolling its headquarters in Nairobi. Large crowds were seen earlier heading in the direction of State House, the president's official residence, in scenes broadcast by Kenyan channel NTV before it and another broadcaster KTN were pulled off the air after defying an order to stop live broadcasts of the demonstrations. Both channels resumed broadcasts later on Wednesday after a court in Nairobi suspended the order issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya. ANGER AGAINST POLICE Isolated clashes were reported in the port city of Mombasa, according to NTV, with protests also in the towns of Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu and Nyeri. Although last year's protests faded after President William Ruto withdrew proposed tax hikes, public anger has remained over the use of excessive force by security agencies, with fresh demonstrations this month over the death of a blogger in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty. Ojwang's death has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning those who perished at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, against a backdrop of dozens of unexplained disappearances. "We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25... we want justice," Lumumba Harmony, a protester, told Reuters in Nairobi. The unprecedented scenes on June 25, 2024, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
16 deaths in Kenya protests, most killed by police, Amnesty Kenya says
Sixteen people died during nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya on Wednesday, most of them killed by police, the head of Amnesty Kenya said, a year after deadly demonstrations against a tax bill culminated in the storming of parliament. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to commemorate last year's demonstrations, in which more than 60 people died, with police firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse them in the capital Nairobi, according to local media and a Reuters witness. Some protesters clashed with police, and 16 people were "verified dead as of 8:30", Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton told Reuters, adding that the figures were verified by the global rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). "Most were killed by police," Houghton said, adding that at least five of the victims had been shot dead. The government-funded KNCHR earlier said eight deaths had been reported across the country, all "allegedly from gunshot wounds". "Over 400 casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists," KNCHR said in a statement shared on its official X account. The watchdog noted heavy police deployment and "allegations of excessive use of force, including rubber bullets, live ammunition and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries". Kenyan police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the statements by Amnesty Kenya or KNCHR. State-funded body Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said in a statement at least 61 people were arrested during the protests. An official at the capital's main Kenyatta National Hospital said the facility had received dozens of wounded people. A total of "107 admitted, most with gunshot injuries," the source said, referring to rubber bullets and live rounds. He added that no deaths had been reported at KNH. National electricity provider Kenya Power said one of its security guards was shot dead while patrolling its headquarters in Nairobi. Large crowds were seen earlier heading in the direction of State House, the president's official residence, in scenes broadcast by Kenyan channel NTV before it and another broadcaster KTN were pulled off the air after defying an order to stop live broadcasts of the demonstrations. Both channels resumed broadcasts later on Wednesday after a court in Nairobi suspended the order issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya. ANGER AGAINST POLICE Isolated clashes were reported in the port city of Mombasa, according to NTV, with protests also in the towns of Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu and Nyeri. Although last year's protests faded after President William Ruto withdrew proposed tax hikes, public anger has remained over the use of excessive force by security agencies, with fresh demonstrations this month over the death of a blogger in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty. Ojwang's death has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning those who perished at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, against a backdrop of dozens of unexplained disappearances. "We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25... we want justice," Lumumba Harmony, a protester, told Reuters in Nairobi. The unprecedented scenes on June 25, 2024, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Deaths reported during protests in Kenya (VIDEO)
At least eight people have been killed in Kenya during nationwide protests against police brutality and alleged government corruption, the East African country's National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), has reported. More than 400 people, including journalists and police officers, were injured during the protests, held across 23 counties on Wednesday, the commission said in a statement. 'Most of them were treated and discharged, eighty-three (83) of them were referred for specialized treatment, eight (8) with gunshot wounds,' KNCHR stated. Irungu Houghton, executive director of the non-profit human rights organization Amnesty International in Kenya, told Reuters that at least 16 people had been 'verified as dead,' most of them 'killed by police.' The latest rallies are being held to commemorate last year's youth-led demonstrations against a controversial finance bill aimed at raising $2.7 billion in revenue to service government debt, during which at least 60 people were killed by security forces, according to rights groups. Ni kama Thika Road have managed.# On Wednesday, thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets, with some in the capital, Nairobi, waving national flags and holding placards featuring images of those killed last year, chanting 'Ruto must go' in reference to President William Ruto. Some protesters, cornered in a blocked alley, were caught on camera pleading with CNN reporter Larry Madowo not to leave, fearing they would 'get killed' if he did. As the reporter spoke with them, riot police fired teargas in their direction, leaving the protesters gasping for breath. 'We are demonstrating peacefully. As you can see, we have nothing, I only have my phone…but we have been cornered and we are afraid for our lives,' one of the protesters, who had been rounded up along with security guards, told Madowo while on his knees. Kenyan police cornered peaceful protesters in a blocked alley, beat them up, then teargassed them. "Larry ukienda tutauliwa," one of them said. "If you leave, we'll get killed."Police brutality during protests against police brutality Other clips show main roads into the capital's central business district blocked, while government buildings were barricaded with razor wire. The Kenyan Communications Authority had initially ordered TV and radio stations to stop live coverage of the protests, but the directive was later overturned by the Nairobi High Court. The anniversary marches come amid widespread outrage over the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang, who was killed in custody earlier this month after criticizing a senior police officer. Six people, including three policemen, were charged with murder in connection to Ojwang's death, though they all pleaded not guilty. While police have stated that protests are allowed if peaceful and unarmed, two officers were arrested last week for shooting an unarmed civilian during a protest in Nairobi over Ojwang's death.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Kenya: Most deaths during antigovernment protests caused by police, Amnesty says
Sixteen people died during nationwide antigovernment protests in Kenya on Wednesday, most of them killed by police, the head of Amnesty Kenya said, a year after deadly demonstrations against a tax Bill culminated in the storming of parliament. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to commemorate last year's demonstrations, in which more than 60 people died, with police firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse them in the capital Nairobi, according to local media and a Reuters witness. Some protesters clashed with police, and 16 people were 'verified dead', Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton said, adding that the figures were verified by the global rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). 'Most were killed by police,' Mr Houghton said, and at least five of the victims had been shot dead. READ MORE The government-funded KNCHR earlier said eight deaths had been reported across the country, all 'allegedly from gunshot wounds'. 'Over 400 casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists,' KNCHR said in a statement shared on its official X account. The watchdog noted heavy police deployment and 'allegations of excessive use of force, including rubber bullets, live ammunition and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries'. Kenyan police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the statements by Amnesty Kenya or KNCHR. State-funded body Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said in a statement at least 61 people were arrested during the protests. An official at the capital's main Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) said the facility had received dozens of wounded people. There were 107 admitted, most with gunshot injuries, the source said, referring to rubber bullets and live rounds. He added that no deaths had been reported at KNH. National electricity provider Kenya Power said one of its security guards was shot dead while patrolling its headquarters in Nairobi. Large crowds were seen earlier heading in the direction of State House, the president's official residence, in scenes broadcast by Kenyan channel NTV before it and another broadcaster KTN were pulled off the air after defying an order to stop live broadcasts of the demonstrations. Both channels resumed broadcasts later on Wednesday after a court in Nairobi suspended the order issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya. Isolated clashes were reported in the port city of Mombasa, according to NTV, with protests also in the towns of Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu and Nyeri. Although last year's protests faded after president William Ruto withdrew proposed tax hikes, public anger has remained over the use of excessive force by security agencies, with fresh demonstrations this month over the death of a blogger in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty. Mr Ojwang's death has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning those who died at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, against a backdrop of dozens of unexplained disappearances. 'We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25th... we want justice,' Lumumba Harmony, a protester in Nairobi, said. The unprecedented scenes on June 25th, 2024, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Mr Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies. – Reuters
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Sixteen deaths recorded in Kenya protests, most killed by police, Amnesty Kenya says
NAIROBI: Sixteen people died during nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya on Wednesday, most of them killed by police, the head of Amnesty Kenya said, a year after deadly demonstrations against a tax bill culminated in the storming of parliament. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to commemorate last year's demonstrations, in which more than 60 people died, with police firing tear gas and water cannons to disperse them in the capital Nairobi, according to local media and a Reuters witness. Some protesters clashed with police, and 16 people were "verified dead as of 8:30", Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton told Reuters, adding that the figures were verified by the global rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). "Most were killed by police," Houghton said, adding that at least five of the victims had been shot dead. The government-funded KNCHR earlier said eight deaths had been reported across the country, all "allegedly from gunshot wounds". "Over 400 casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists," KNCHR said in a statement shared on its official X account. The watchdog noted heavy police deployment and "allegations of excessive use of force, including rubber bullets, live ammunition and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries". Kenyan police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the statements by Amnesty Kenya or KNCHR. State-funded body Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said in a statement at least 61 people were arrested during the protests. An official at the capital's main Kenyatta National Hospital said the facility had received dozens of wounded people. "107 admitted, most with gunshot injuries," the source said, referring to rubber bullets and live rounds. He added that no deaths had been reported at KNH. National electricity provider Kenya Power said one of its security guards was shot dead while patrolling its headquarters in Nairobi. Large crowds were seen earlier heading in the direction of State House, the president's official residence, in scenes broadcast by Kenyan channel NTV before it and another broadcaster KTN were pulled off the air after defying an order to stop live broadcasts of the demonstrations. Both channels resumed broadcasts later on Wednesday after a court in Nairobi suspended the order issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya. ANGER AGAINST POLICE Isolated clashes were reported in the port city of Mombasa, according to NTV, with protests also in the towns of Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu and Nyeri. Although last year's protests faded after President William Ruto withdrew proposed tax hikes, public anger has remained over the use of excessive force by security agencies, with fresh demonstrations this month over the death of a blogger in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty. Ojwang's death has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning those who perished at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, against a backdrop of dozens of unexplained disappearances. "We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25... we want justice," Lumumba Harmony, a protester, told Reuters in Nairobi. The unprecedented scenes on June 25, 2024, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies.
