In a statement shared on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the report painted a grim picture of arbitrary arrests, deaths, injuries, and enforced disappearances during public protests.
According to the commission, 1,376 arbitrary arrests were recorded between July 2023 and November 2024. KNCHR said many of these arrests were made during peaceful demonstrations, raising concerns about violations of basic rights, including freedom of assembly.
Additionally, KNCHR noted 74 cases of enforced disappearances, with 26 people still missing. The ongoing disappearances have left families in anguish, as they seek answers about their loved ones’ whereabouts.
“The Commission has documented one thousand, three hundred and seventy-six (1,376) arbitrary arrests as well as six hundred and ten (610) cases of injuries from June 18th to November 2024. These injuries were sustained in the course of the demonstrations and ranged from deep fractures, bullet wounds, soft tissue injuries, and inhalation of tear gas,” KNCHR stated.
KNCHR documented 60 deaths resulting from demonstrations during this period. These fatalities were linked to violent confrontations between law enforcement and protesters, as well as incidents of public violence.
The commission also recorded 610 injuries sustained by civilians in the course of these demonstrations. Victims suffered from deep fractures, bullet wounds, soft tissue injuries, and tear gas inhalation.
According to the KNCHR, security officers were not spared either, with 25 injuries inflicted on law enforcement personnel by protesters.
“During this period, the Commission documented sixty (60) deaths that were perpetuated during the demonstrations. The Commission also notes the unprecedented surge in femicide cases, with 97 cases having been reported in the last three months, according to the National Police Service,” the commission reported.
KNCHR reported a spike in femicide cases with 97 women killed in just three months, according to data from the National Police Service. KNCHR expressed deep concern over this trend, calling for urgent action to address gender-based violence.
The report revealed that journalists faced substantial risks while covering the protests. The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) recorded 24 cases of injuries to journalists during the anti-finance bill demonstrations alone.
Despite clearly wearing press identification, Catherine was specifically targeted and shot three times in the thigh by police officers.
Mediamax described this incident as police brutality and a direct attack on media freedom, interpreting it as an effort to prevent Kenyans from receiving essential information.
The network highlighted their view of this violence as a deliberate attempt to suppress the coverage of the protests.
“Despite wearing identifiable press gear, Catherine was targeted and shot in the thigh three times by police officers while covering nationwide protests by youth demanding good governance.
We consider this police brutality against journalists who were covering the protests a brazen assault on media freedom and an attempt to deny Kenyan citizens access to information,” a statement by the network read in part.
Several media professionals were harassed by citizens, politicians, and police officers, further complicating their ability to report on events accurately and without fear.
The commission also noted that the personal information of individuals, including names, contacts, and family details, was publicly exposed without their consent.
Such privacy breaches were reportedly linked to the anti-finance bill protests, compounding the challenges those participating in or associated with the demonstrations faced.
