KNCHR denies making statement on alleged Githurai massacre

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has denied claims that it falsified data on the alleged mass killings in Githurai, Kiambu county during last week’s protests against the Finance Bill.

Speaking during a televised interview with senior television editors on Sunday evening, President William Ruto accused the commission of giving false news to the nation regarding the alleged massacre at Githurai during the protests.

“Kenya National Commission of Human Rights told the nation that there was a massacre in Githurai and 20 people were killed in Githurai,” said the president. “It is a statement that is public,” he added.

Yesterday, KNHCR chairperson Roseline Odede clarified that the commission did not release any data on the death toll following the police raid.

Allegations made

She added that they are still verifying the events at Githurai and in other areas, distancing the organization from the allegations made by the Head of State. “We the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights have not issued any statement on Githurai. We are still in the process of confirming the happenings in Migori, Nakuru and other parts of the country,” Odede stated.

Condemning brutality

The commission also clarified that as of Sunday, the number of deaths linked to the anti-finance bill

protests were 22 and not 19 fatalities as President Ruto had claimed.

“From data in our possession, we had 22 deaths arising from the protests as of Wednesday when we made our last statement and that is what we reported,” Odede said.

KNCHR had last Wednesday issued a statement condemning the brutality unleashed on protestors.

 “We must all speak up and act before slipping to a path of no return!” the statement read.  “The commission witnessed with shock as police officers moved into residential areas of Githurai and Juja in the evening of Tuesday 25th of June 2024 and were allegedly involved in the indiscriminate shooting of civilians as a result of this the commission received unverified reports of scores of residents who were killed by stray bullets.

We will be investigating this to ensure accountability for these atrocities,” the commission said.