ALBAWABA - The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) released a report announcing that the death toll from the anti-tax protests in the capital Nairobi has risen to 39 and is expected to rise.
As activists gear up for another round of protests this week, KNCHR announced double the number the Kenyan authorities revealed. "Data from our records indicates that 39 people have died and 361 have been injured in relation to the protests countrywide," KNCHR stated.
It also reported 32 cases of "enforced or involuntary disappearances" and 627 arrests of protestors.
When lawmakers enacted the contentious legislation last Tuesday, the usually peaceful anti-tax marches, which were predominantly spearheaded by Generation Z protestors, devolved into scenes of terrible violence.
After the result was revealed, crowds looted the parliament facility in central Nairobi, which was partially set ablaze while police fired live bullets at protestors.
"The commission continues to condemn in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted violence and force that was inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, lawyers, journalists, and on safe spaces such as churches, medical emergency centers, and ambulances," the KNCHR said.
It also stated that it strongly opposes the violent and "violent and shocking acts of lawlessness that were exhibited by some of the protesters," particularly at the parliament and other government facilities.
Kenyan officials were caught by surprise when minor protests against the tax rises gained traction, with thousands of people marching to the streets.
