The United Nations has expressed concern over the recent wave of anti-government protests in Kenya, urging calm and restraint after violent clashes left hundreds injured and several dead.
The demonstrations, which erupted on Wednesday, coincided with the anniversary of Kenya’s 2024 anti-tax protests that saw around 60 people killed and dozens reportedly abducted by security forces.
This year’s protests were fueled further by the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwan, who died in police custody earlier this month.
According to reports, the protests turned violent as demonstrators stormed government and police buildings, chanted slogans demanding the occupation of the presidential residence, and set shops and businesses ablaze in parts of Nairobi.
While an official death toll has not been confirmed, estimates range from eight to sixteen fatalities, with over 400 people, including police officers, injured.
On Thursday, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) issued a statement expressing alarm over the use of live ammunition against protesters.
The office emphasized that under international human rights law, lethal force should only be used when strictly necessary to protect life or prevent serious harm.
OHCHR welcomed the decision by Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate the incidents, stressing the importance of swift, impartial, and transparent inquiries to ensure accountability and prevent future violations.
“We are obviously concerned about the violence we have seen in Kenya.
We are very saddened by the loss of life,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a press briefing in New York. He reiterated the call for oversight and expressed concern over reports of gunshot injuries.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen accused protesters of attempting to force a change in government through unconstitutional means.
He reported that nine police stations were attacked, dozens of vehicles destroyed, and five firearms stolen during the unrest.
The UN continues to monitor the situation closely and has urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and prioritize peaceful dialogue.