Police also reported damage to twelve police vehicles, three government cars, and four civilian vehicles, in addition to several incidents of looting.
The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed eleven deaths, 567 arrests, and dozens of injuries during Monday’s Saba Saba protests amid condemnation over excessing use of force.
Among those arrested is Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, whose detention was announced in an official police statement released Monday night.
The update paints a grim picture of widespread unrest, even as civil rights groups accuse the police of using excessive force and ignoring court orders.
According to the NPS, fifty-two police officers and eleven civilians sustained injuries during violent clashes in several parts of the country.
Police also reported damage to twelve police vehicles, three government cars, and four civilian vehicles, in addition to several incidents of looting.
“Certain individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness that involved multiple criminal acts, including attacks on law enforcement officers and looting,” Police Spokesperson Muchangi Nyaga said.
KNCHR denounces police conduct
While the police praised their officers for showing “exceptional restraint and professionalism,” the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) issued a damning parallel report, accusing officers of using lethal force and operating in defiance of court orders.
As of 6:30pm Monday, KNCHR had documented ten fatalities, twenty-nine injuries, two abductions, and thirty-seven arrests across seventeen counties.
The Commission reported that victims were shot in areas including Kitengela, Rongai, Kangemi, Embu, and Ol Kalou—many by plainclothes officers in unmarked Subaru vehicles.
“The deployment of hooded, unidentifiable individuals in civilian clothing was in blatant violation of existing court orders,” KNCHR stated.
Disturbingly, the Commission also flagged the presence of criminal gangs operating with crude weapons in several protest zones—some reportedly working alongside police.
Murkomen under fire
The deadly confrontations come amid mounting pressure on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who was recently caught on video ordering police to shoot protesters if they approached stations or appeared threatening.
“This is an order from above, not just from me,” Murkomen is heard saying in the viral video.
The remarks have sparked outrage among human rights groups and opposition leaders, with a High Court petition already filed seeking his removal from office for incitement and endangering civilian lives.
The latest incidents bring the total number of protest-related deaths to at least thirty-nine over a period of three weeks, according to human rights monitors.
More than sixty were killed during similar demonstrations in 2024 before the Finance Bill was withdrawn.
Rights groups have also reported numerous cases of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and torture with human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists increasingly becoming targets of state harassment.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) reported an attack on its Nairobi office on Sunday, where staff were assaulted and journalists robbed by hired goons.
National conclave
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who had planned to lead a commemorative rally at Kamukunji Grounds, cancelled the event citing heavy police presence.
Speaking at Serena Hotel, Odinga condemned the state’s use of force and warned of creeping authoritarianism.
“What was meant to be a peaceful day of national reflection turned into a day of fear. This government is using force to silence its own citizens,” Odinga, who is part of a “broad-based” governing alliance, said.
He proposed an urgent Inter-Generational National Conclave to chart reforms, address youth unemployment, promote accountability, and restore civic freedoms.
“The people are hungry, the youth are angry, and the leadership is absent. We must act now,” he added.
KNCHR called on the government to respect civil liberties, cease its assault on civic space, and allow peaceful protests to proceed without intimidation.
“We urge authorities to comply with court orders and uphold the Constitution. No amount of force can suppress a generation’s demand for dignity and justice,” the Commission said. By JEREMIAH WAKAYA, Capital News
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has been confirmed as the ruling party’s candidate for the 2026 presidential election, setting the stage for him to extend his nearly 40-year rule.
At 80 years old, Museveni has led Uganda since 1986 after taking power as a rebel leader. In his acceptance speech on Saturday, he said he would continue working to turn Uganda into a “high upper middle-income country” if re-elected.
The announcement was made during a conference of his party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Museveni highlighted his role in bringing “stability and progress” to Uganda and warned against missing another opportunity for transformation like in the colonial era.
Critics accuse Museveni of ruling with an iron fist. Uganda’s constitution has been changed twice to remove term and age limits, allowing him to remain in power.
His main challenger is expected to be pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi. He ran against Museveni in 2021 but lost, claiming the vote was rigged. Wine has said being in opposition in Uganda comes with harsh consequences, including intimidation and arrests.
Another key opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, remains in detention facing treason charges, which he denies.
The next election is scheduled for January 2026. African News
Rwanda helped M23 rebels gain control of territory in eastern DR Congo that gave Kigali access to its natural resources, according to UN experts.
In a confidential new UN report seen by The Associated Press, the experts wrote that the smuggling of coltan, considered a critical mineral, from M23-controlled territories had reached “unprecedented levels” in the last few months.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing M23 but UN experts accused the country of backing the rebels using “advanced military equipment, including jamming systems, short-range air defense system and armed drones.”
He told reporters on Friday that Rwanda was committed to implementing the deal, but that it could fail if DR Congo did not live up to its promises and played “tricks.” By Alexis Akwagyiram, Semafor
Police stop Operation Dudula from trying to block non-South Africans from accessing medical attention at Hillbrow clinic in Johannesburg. Image:Veli Nhlapo
The government has raised concern about the growing trend of foreigners being denied access to healthcare services at public facilities. There have been several reports of communities and advocacy groups, such as Operation Dudula, blocking foreigners from entering public hospitals and clinics.
Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said such actions are unlawful, citing the constitution, which states “Everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services”.
“This right is not subject to an individual’s nationality or immigration status,” Mnukwa said.
“Denying individuals healthcare based on their origin is a violation of our laws and values as a nation. Additionally, South Africa is a signatory to several regional and international agreements that aim to ensure access to healthcare for its citizens and, in some cases, for individuals within its borders.
“Taking the law into one’s own hands is unacceptable and undermines the values enshrined in our constitution.”
The government acknowledged public frustrations about challenges faced by healthcare facilities, but urged them to raise such concerns through appropriate channels.
Mnukwa said the government is working towards strengthening the healthcare system and addressing the issue of illegal foreigners.
“These efforts are aimed at ensuring all who rely on public services can access the care they need in a dignified and efficient manner.
“Law enforcement agencies are continuing to deal with individuals in the country illegally, in line with the applicable laws and immigration processes. Illegal immigration will never be condoned and government is strengthening border management and documentation systems to decisively address the issue.”
She said the police would implement an operational plan to deal with protest groups that block foreigners from entering healthcare facilities.
“Law enforcement will continue to apply the zero-tolerance approach for lawlessness, with decisive action taken against individuals taking the law into their own hands and intimidating patients at health facilities,” Mnukwa said, adding action will also be taken against illegal foreigners who violate the Immigration Act. By Innocentia Nkadimeng, Times Live
Kenyans vote at Rongai Constituency, Nakuru County during the August 9, 2022, General Election. Photo IEBC
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has distanced itself from a viral social media post alleging that over two million ghost voters will be removed from the voter register before the 2027 General Election.
The Commission flagged the post as fake and clarified that it currently has no chairperson or commissioners in office, and any statements attributed to its members were misleading.
The fake post had alleged that the incoming Commission Chairperson, Erustus Ethekon, had been appointed and was leading a cleanup of the voter register.
It further purported that Kiambu County was leading with the highest number of ghost voters, followed by Meru, Nairobi, and Nyeri Counties.
Kenyans.co.ke
''We will remove over 2 million ghost voters from the register before the 2027 elections. Kiambu County has the largest concentration of ghost voters, followed by Meru, Nairobi, and Nyeri,'' the fake poster alleged.
In a quick response, IEBC advised Kenyans to disregard the post, warning Kenyans against falling for such misinformation.
“Please note that the Commission currently neither has a Chairperson nor Members of the Commission. Therefore, any information circulating on social media is null and void,” the statement read.
According to the commission, no official communication regarding voter register audits or appointments has been made and urged the public to rely on verified channels for electoral updates.
“We urge Kenyans to treat such posts with the contempt they deserve and to verify information through our official platforms,” the statement continued.
According to a gazette notice dated June 10, President William Ruto officially appointed Ethakon as the new IEBC Chairperson. Ruto also appointed Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, and Mary Karen Sorobit as the commissioners.
Others appointed are Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
Despite the appointments, the chairperson and commissioners are yet to assume their positions following the High Court's conservatory orders that had temporarily barred the gazettement and swearing-in of the nominees pending the outcome of a constitutional petition.
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