Gov't claims more police officers than civilians were injured during Gen Z protests

More police officers were injured than protestors during the youth-led demonstrations in the country, the government has said.

Speaking on Friday Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said that the Government is deeply concerned about the safety and human rights of all Kenyans.

“The National Police Service (NPS) has reported that during the June and July 2024 protests, 495 police officers and 347 civilians were injured, with another 42 Kenyans unfortunately losing their lives,” Dr Mwaura said.

This translates to 148 more officers who were injured than the demonstrators during the month-long street battle that climaxed into the country’s first-ever invasion of Parliament on June 25, 2024.

According to Dr Mwaura, the government acknowledges the tragic circumstances and confirm that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continues to investigate any disappearances even as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), remains focused on identifying and addressing any excesses on the side of the police.

“The government is committed to ensuring justice and will take necessary actions to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Dr Mwaura.

In October, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicated that there were 60 fatalities and not 42 as the government claims.

KNCHR Vice Chairperson Marion Mutugi, in an incriminatory submission to the Administration and Internal Affairs Committee of the National Assembly committee, revealed that all the death and torture cases it investigated emanating from the Gen Z protests, had the “hallmarks of the security enforcers.”

The KNCHR dossier notes that during the four months, 1,376 cases of arrests were documented across the 47 counties during the demonstrations.

Police say that 1,552 protesters were arrested, and others, captured on surveillance cameras committing offences, are still being pursued by the authorities.

The country experienced an unprecedented security situation during the protests that commenced on June 18, 2024, and reached its peak seven(7) days later when a large number of distraught youths stormed Parliament Buildings just hours after the National Assembly passed the Finance Bill, 2024.

Many private businesses--mainly within the Central Business District (CBD) and other hotspot areas--were broken into and property was destroyed and looted.