Concern as over 50 die in protests in last two weeks

The last two weeks have turned out to be the bloodiest days this year after the country witnessed a disturbing surge in protest-related deaths.
There are fears the number of lives lost could rise above 60 in the coming days after severely injured protestors were admitted to various hospitals.
Police officers implicated in the death of blogger and school teacher Albert Ojwang at Central Police Station cells opened the floodgates of bloodshed witnessed on days when Kenyans have called for protests since last month.
Ojwang’s death prompted youth-led protests in major towns across the country as they called for the firing of police boss Eliud Lagat.
In its report that day, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documented 22 casualties and the tragic shooting of Boniface Kariuki by police, who succumbed to his injuries at Kenyatta National Hospital last week on Monday.
“KNHCR witnessed hordes of thugs viciously attack and rob protestors and other civilians in the streets of Nairobi. This is unacceptable conduct by the police, who are required to discharge their duties professionally and provide security for all persons in Kenya without favour or bias,” the KNHCR statement read in part.
The commission also faulted the security agencies, as most of the police officers on duty concealed their vehicle registration numbers and faces with masks and hoods against a High Court ruling last year.
Eight days later, on June 25, during the commemoration of Gen-Zs who died last year during the anti-Finance Bill demos, KNHCR recorded another 19 deaths, bringing the total number of lives lost in June to 21, including Ojwang.
Additionally, 531 injuries, 15 enforced disappearances, 179 arrests, two cases of individual rape, two cases of gang rape and one attempted gang rape were also documented.
“KNCHR has received reports of eight fatalities. All deaths allegedly from gunshot wounds in six different Counties, namely: two in Machakos, two in Makueni, one in each county of Nakuru, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu County and Nyandarua,” the commission said on Wednesday 25, June before releasing the final tally of 19 deaths on Friday 27.
The commission reported another 31 deaths on Tuesday after monitoring the Saba Saba protests that ensued in Mount Kenya region, Nairobi and its metropolitan counties, bringing the number of deaths to 51 since last month.