Death toll from anti-government protests hits 17 – police

Police said among the victims who were found dead was one Raphael Shigali, the Nairobi open bantamweight champion.

In Summary
  • In Mukuru slums, one Bernard Kilonzi, 43, died after he was hit in the chest with a teargas canister.

  • His death prompted a protest in the area with residents accusing police of being behind the incident.

Protesters take to their heels after police lobbed teargas at Kamukunji on July 12, 2023.
Protesters take to their heels after police lobbed teargas at Kamukunji on July 12, 2023.
Image: FILE

The death toll from the anti-government demonstrations has hit 17 after four bodies were discovered in Nairobi.

Most of the victims had gunshot wounds.

Police said among the victims who were found dead was one Raphael Shigali, the Nairobi open bantamweight champion.

He was shot dead Wednesday morning along Jogoo Road in running battles between a group and police, witnesses said.

Maringo/Bahati Member of County Assembly Patrick Macharia said he had been at Safaricom playground Hamza area with the deceased hours earlier for training.

Then they saw the public running along Jogoo Road and went to check what was happening and coming back they found Shigali bleeding from the head.

He was rushed to Metropolitan Hospital for treatment but was pronounced dead on arrival.

He had been shot in the head.

In Mukuru slums, one Bernard Kilonzi, 43, died after he was hit in the chest with a teargas canister.

His death prompted a protest in the area with residents accusing police of being behind the incident.

It is believed that the deceased was coming from Mukuru health centre when he was hit by teargas on the chest and died on the spot.

The deceased had physical injuries on the chest and a deep cut on the neck.

In Majengo slums, Nairobi, locals dropped a body of a man on Wednesday evening at the local police post after he had been stabbed by unknown people during a riot in the area.

At City Stadium, a body of a man was found there and police said he had chest injuries.

The body was collected on Wednesday evening hours after clashes had happened between police and some locals over the anti-government protests.

Police said they are investigating the incident.

Officials said two more people died in Kisumu. The two were shot by police during the protests in the area.

Officials at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital said one of the deceased persons aged 35 died on Thursday while undergoing treatment.

He was among six other people rushed to the institution with gunshot wounds.

The second casualty passed on at Nightingale Hospital in Kondele before his remains were transferred to JOOTRH for preservation.

Five other victims are still admitted at JOOTRH having undergone surgeries after they were shot by police in the lakeside city.

About 14 other people injured during the protests, were however been treated and discharged.

Four were shot dead in Mlolongo, two in Kitengela, one along Juja Road in Nairobi, two in Sondu, one in Migori and one in Emali in Makueni.

The protests were called to denounce the high cost of living and the recently introduced Finance Act 2023.

The Independent Police Oversight Authority commenced a probe into allegations that police used live bullets during the anti-government demonstrations.

IPOA chair Ann Makori who confirmed that Rapid Response Teams have been dispatched to probe the claims said law enforcement officers are only justified to use lethal force when their lives are in danger.

Makori said the authority will examine the circumstances under which the firearm was used and confirm whether the lives of the police officers themselves were in danger or not. 

Human rights commission KNCHR on Thursday said at least 12 people lost their lives during the demonstrations.

According to KNCHR, four people were killed in Mlolongo while Kitengela, Emali, Sondu and Migori reported one death each.

"The Constitution dictates that an individual’s right to life must be upheld. One life lost is too many. Every life lost represents someone’s spouse, child, parent, friend, neighbour or colleague," KNCHR said in a statement.     

Human rights groups including KHRC, Haki Africa and MUHURI have accused police officers of using excessive force during the demos that left scores of protesters injured.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said 312 people who directly or indirectly planned, orchestrated, or financed protests and acts of lawlessness including a Member of Parliament, had been arrested and will be charged with various criminal offences.

Mavoko MP Patrick Makau was expected back to the DCI in Nairobi on Friday, July 14 over claims he planned the protests in Mlolongo.

He has denied any involvement in the demonstrations that were witnessed on Wednesday where a section of the Expressway was damaged affecting traffic flow.

Other leaders have read mischief in the police actions terming it misuse of power.

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