UN Condemns Deadly Crackdown on Kenyan Protesters, Urges Full Investigation

The United Nations has raised alarm over the killing of at least 10 people during violent clashes between police and demonstrators in Kenya, amid growing public outrage over anti-government protests.

The unrest erupted during Saba Saba Day—commemorated annually on July 7 to honour the 1990 uprising that pressured the regime of then-President Daniel arap Moi to embrace multi-party democracy.

“We are deeply troubled by the killings yesterday of at least 10 people, as well as looting and destruction of property in Kenya,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, during a briefing in Geneva.

Security forces reportedly used live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons in response to the protests. According to Kenyan police, the clashes left 11 people dead, 52 officers injured, and led to 567 arrests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), however, reported a slightly different toll: 10 deaths, 29 injuries, 37 arrests, and two cases of abduction.

The violence marks the second deadly incident in recent weeks. On June 25, at least 15 protesters were reportedly killed during demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country, sparking renewed criticism of excessive police force.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk reiterated his call for calm, restraint, and full respect for fundamental freedoms, including the rights to peaceful assembly, expression, and association.

“Under international human rights law, the use of intentional lethal force by law enforcement must only occur when strictly necessary to protect life from an imminent threat,” Shamdasani emphasized.

The UN welcomed Kenya’s announcement of investigations into previous incidents, but urged that all alleged human rights violations—especially those involving lethal force—be “promptly, thoroughly, independently and transparently investigated.”

“Those responsible must be held to account,” Shamdasani concluded.