Kenya Protests Turn Deadly: 19 Killed, 15 Missing, Looted Amid Chaos

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported that 19 people have died and 15 others are missing following nationwide protests that took place on Wednesday. These demonstrations were held to mark the anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-tax crackdown but quickly spiraled into violent confrontations between protesters and police across multiple regions of the country.

The KNCHR, a state agency, revealed that 531 individuals were injured during the protests and 179 people were taken into custody. In an official statement, the commission condemned the violence and emphasized the need for accountability from all those involved in the human rights violations.

The updated death toll of 19 is higher than the initial report of 16. The 15 missing individuals are being classified as victims of "enforced disappearances", raising serious human rights concerns.

Human Rights Watch and the United Nations also responded to the situation. Otsieno Namwaya, Associate Africa Director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the Kenyan government must not criminalize peaceful demonstrators, while the UN called for calm and urged all parties to exercise restraint.

Meanwhile, in a related incident, the Kenyan government condemned the looting of a national fertiliser depot in Meru, approximately 200 kilometers east of Nairobi. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that over 7,354 bags of fertiliser, valued at around $230,000, were stolen during the unrest.

“This fertiliser was essential for the current planting season,” the ministry said, describing the theft as a serious blow to Kenya’s food security. The statement warned that the loss of such critical agricultural supplies could lead to a severe crisis affecting both food and cash crop production.

Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe condemned the theft, calling it “unacceptable” and urging authorities to track down and prosecute those responsible. He also highlighted that agriculture accounts for around 21% of Kenya’s GDP, underscoring the magnitude of the loss during this crucial farming period.