Confusion remains over number of Kenyans killed in anti-tax riots
By Alvin Mwangi, August 6, 2024The mystery surrounding the exact number of Kenyans who lost lives during the recent anti-government protests continued to deepen yesterday after officials from Nairobi Funeral Home revealed they received 247 bodies last month, against a monthly average of 160.
According to Nairobi County Public Health Chief Officer Tony Nyakaba, the facility formerly known as City Mortuary, between June 25 and July 26 had 115 bodies registered as unknown.
Some 102 of the 247 bodies that were brought to the facility were identified with their full names and relatives or next of kin notified. Another 55, initially unidentified, were later identified, and their relatives were informed.
The morgue also received 13 unidentified foetuses or bodies from perinatal deaths.
Also, 17 body parts from the Kware incident from Nairobi’s pipeline estate await DNA identification to establish their identity.
Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor disclosed last month that none of the bodies recovered from the Kware dumpsite showed any signs of injuries attributed to bullets, either externally or upon examination.
The revelations by City Hall contradict reports claiming that all bodies were released. Some reports further claimed that bodies at the City Mortuary had bullet wounds.
Hussein Khalid, an activist and CE of human rights organisation Vocal Africa, had earlier this week raised concerns over the bodies, questioning the identification process undertaken by the morgue.
“We have 51 bodies here that have been booked as unknown. They were brought here with bullets. We have checked the records, and many cases of missing persons started occurring on June 25,” said the activist.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported on July 16, 2024, that 50 people had died in connection with the anti-government protests.
The deceased were from Nairobi (21), Nakuru (3), Laikipia (2), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (2), Kisumu (3), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1), Nandi (1), Embu (1), Homab Bay (1), Nyeri (1), and Bungoma (1).
Meanwhile, 14 families who lost their loved ones during the Gen Z protests in June and July recorded statements at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) last week, along with some witnesses.
Lobby groups report that 60 people were killed, 66 were abducted or are missing, 1,376 were arrested, and 601 were injured.
However, the IPOA announced they are currently investigating 41 deaths.