Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has addressed concerns surrounding the conflicting reports on the number of deaths linked to the recent protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 16, Murkomen defended the government’s figures which differed from those released by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Murkomen emphasized that the government's numbers are based on official police records and analysis carried out by the National Police Service (NPS).
"Our findings are from the National Police Service records, who conducted physical analysis. If KNCHR, a national entity reports 61, we don't dispute but we get our findings from law enforcement," he said.
Murkomen also noted that some fatalities recorded in reports such as those provided by KNCHR might not be linked to the demonstrations.
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"Also bear in mind that there could have been some whose deaths are not necessarily related to protests,” he added.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, July 15, Murkomen said that a total of 42 people were killed during the June 25 and July 7 protests.
"42 Kenyans regrettably lost their lives, and close to 600 were injured. Out of these injuries, 496 were law enforcement officers. This is unacceptable. One life lost is one too many. We mourn every life lost and extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the affected families,” he confirmed.
On their part, KNCHR issued a statement on Friday, July 11, claiming that a total 38 people had been killed during protests on July 7 alone.
"The Commission observes that the death toll has now risen to thirty-eight (38) people. The fatalities are as follows: Kiambu (8), Nairobi (6), Kajiado (6), Nakuru (4), Kirinyaga (3), Murang'a (3), Embu (2), Meru (2), Laikipia (2), Nyandarua (1) and Nyamira (1).
"Further, four (4) of the deceased are female, two 2) are children while the majority of those already identified are youth below 25 years. Out of the fifteen (15) postmortems conducted so far, the majority (14) died from gunshot injuries including a 12-year old girl who was shot while watching TV at home in Kiambu," the organization said.
