Death toll hits 31 in Saba Saba protests as KNCHR issues update

A fresh wave of concern has emerged following the deadly Saba Saba protests held across Kenya on July 7, as contrasting accounts from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and the National Police Service (NPS) reveal a sharp divergence in casualty figures and narratives.

By 7pm on July 8, KNCHR had documented 31 fatalities, 107 injuries, two cases of enforced disappearance, and 532 arrests.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the commission also noted widespread destruction of property, though the value of the damage remains unconfirmed.

Describing the findings as deeply troubling, KNCHR vice chairperson Raymond Nyeris said the commission was “actively monitoring and following up on all reports and incidences related to the protests.”

He strongly condemned the human rights violations witnessed and called for full accountability from “police, civilians and all other stakeholders.”

“We urge anyone with information or human rights concerns to report them through our dedicated channels. Haki kwa wote, kila wakati,” Nyeris added, and condoled with those who lost their loved ones and wished the injured a quick recovery.

In contrast, a statement from the National Police Service, issued on the protest day by spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, presented a significantly different account.

The NPS reported a death toll of 11 of police-related fatalities.

They said 52 police officers and 11 civilians had been injured, and a total of 567 people had been arrested across the country, including Gitonga Mukunji, Member of Parliament for Manyatta constituency.

The NPS condemned what it described as “acts of lawlessness” carried out by individuals who engaged in multiple criminal activities, including attacks on law enforcement officers and incidents of looting.

The police further reported that 12 police vehicles, three government vehicles, and four civilian vehicles had been damaged during the unrest.

While commending the majority of Kenyans for being law-abiding and heeding the call to maintain peace, the NPS said, “Certain individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness.”

The service praised its officers for showing “exceptional restraint and professionalism in the face of sustained violence and provocation by criminals who infiltrated the protests.”

They also assured the public that each reported incident would be subjected to further investigation in accordance with the law, urging citizens to report any individuals still at large through official police hotlines or the #FichuakwaDCI platform.

Despite official efforts to restore order, the sharp contrast between the state’s and the human rights commission’s accounts raises critical questions about transparency, the conduct of law enforcement, and the overall handling of the protests.

As investigations continue, pressure is mounting on the authorities to provide a full and independent accounting of what transpired, while families of the dead and injured continue to seek justice and answers.