Nairobi [Kenya], July 10: At least 31 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in violent anti-government protests in Kenya, the country's National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR) said on Tuesday, as it condemned a heavy-handed response by security forces.
The commission reported 107 injuries, 532 arrests and two people missing in the latest wave of unrest. On Monday, the death toll was estimated at 10 by the KNCHR and 11 by police.
In a statement, the rights watchdog criticized what it called excessive force by security forces and the violation of a Supreme Court directive requiring officers to wear identifiable uniforms. Since President William Ruto introduced a new tax law a year ago, Kenya, a country of about 55 million people, has repeatedly seen violent clashes between protesters and police.
More than 60 demonstrators were killed shortly after the legislation was announced and although Ruto later rolled back parts of the measures, many Kenyans say the changes did not go far enough.
On Monday, crowds again took to the streets to mark the anniversary of the historic Saba Saba protests of July 7, 1990, calling for political reforms and demanding Ruto's resignation.
The original demonstrations 35 years ago against the country's one-party dictatorship helped pave the way for today's multi-party democracy.
Source: Qatar Tribune
