NAIROBI, July  1, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A total of 39 people have been killed in
anti-government protests in Kenya that erupted last month over planned tax
hikes, the national rights watchdog said Monday, a tally double what the
government has admitted so far.

The updated toll was announced by the Kenya National Commission on Human
Rights on the eve of an expected new round of demonstrations led mostly by
Gen-Z activists against the government of President William Ruto.

"Data from our records indicates that thirty-nine people have died and
three hundred and sixty-one injured in relation to the protests countrywide,"
the state-funded body said in a statement, adding that the figures covered the
period from June 18 to July 1.

It also said there had been 32 cases of "enforced or involuntary
disappearances" and 627 arrests of protesters.

"The Commission continues to condemn in the strongest terms possible the
unwarranted violence and force that was inflicted on protesters, medical
personnel, lawyers, journalists and on safe spaces such as churches, medical
emergency centres and ambulances," it said.

"We maintain that the force used against the protesters was excessive and
disproportionate."

Fresh protests have been called by activists starting from Tuesday despite
Ruto announcing last week that the bill containing the contentious tax hikes
would be withdrawn.

Ruto said in a television interview Sunday that 19 people had died in the
protests, but insisted he was not to blame.