Nairobi: According to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the death toll from Kenya's antigovernment protests on Monday has increased to 31, the highest single-day total since demonstrations began earlier this year.
The report on Tuesday stated that another 107 people were hurt and over 500 were arrested in connection with widespread vandalism of property, including grocery shops.
The figure lacked specifics, and it was unclear whether the toll included police officers, whom the report alleged of collaborating with armed groups in the aftermath of violence.
Kenyans are calling for improved leadership and the president's resignation
Kenyans have been protesting for weeks to demand better governance and police accountability, as well as President William Ruto's resignation over alleged corruption.
Kenyans took to the streets yesterday to protest political reforms on a day— July 7 is significant historically due to the huge prodemocracy demonstrations that occurred on that date thirty-five years ago.
The East African country shifted to multiparty democracy from a oneparty government beginning in 1992.
During protests yesterday, police barred access to central Nairobi, preventing residents from gathering in the city center as they had previously.
Young Kenyans last year briefly invaded parliament in Nairobi during demonstrations against proposed tax increases, which were ultimately rescinded.
Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, on Tuesday stressed the need to address the concerns that prompted the demonstrations, with his spokesperson stating that Turk reiterates his call for calm, restraint, and complete respect for the rights of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
