Kenya’s interior minister denied that police used excessive force in protests on Wednesday, with at least 10 people killed, calling them “terrorism disguised as dissent” and “unconstitutional attempts” to change the government.
Kipchumba Murkomen thanked the security agencies for their “extreme provocation” to help them “that the attempted coup”, which was their “extreme provocation”.
He said more than 400 people were injured in addition to 10 deaths, including about 300 police officers.
“We condemn criminal anarchists for releasing violence, robbery, sexual assault and destruction of our people in the name of peaceful demonstrations,” he said.
He added that the main government facilities and offices in the protests were targeted, with nine police stations attacking, five of which were burned down – five guns were stolen.
He said dozens of vehicles belonging to police, government and civilians were destroyed.
Mercomen said an investigation is underway involving serious casualties and violent behavior.
Rights group Amnesty International put the death toll at 16, saying all those who died had gunshot wounds.
“I was in great pain. David was…my first born, and he was my assistant.” ”, Source: Rachael Nyambura Mwangi, Source Description: A mother who was killed Wednesday, Image: The head and shoulders of a woman who looks like she is about to cry.
David Mwangi, nineteen, who lives in the informal settlement of Mukuru, Nairobi, was one of the people who were shot.
His mother told the BBC that he was a bystander who went to the tuition class to pick up his younger brother. A tearful Rachael Nyambura Mwangi said a bullet flashed over her son’s head.
“I’m in pain,” she said.
“David wants to be a mechanic in college. He was my first birth and he was my assistant. If I need to get water or get something I will send him. I sell sweet potatoes and I will send him as long as I need to get stock.”
David Mwangi has ambitions, his mother says [Rachael Nyambura Mwangi]
17-year-old student Dennis Njuguna was shot dead shortly after school days.
“I don’t know if he was among the protesters or if he hit him with a bullet. I don’t know, but I heard he was shot, fell and died on the spot,” said his mother, Jecinta Gathoni.
“My kid is still young and he is in his last year of middle school. He has realized his dream and I have a lot of hope for him. I don’t even have the courage to go to the morgue to see his body.”
The protests mark the first anniversary of a previous wave of deadly anti-government demonstrations.
On Wednesday, thousands of people took to the streets to express their anger with President William Ruto’s administration and demanded an end to police brutality.
Many of the people who manifest as “ruto must go”, waving branches, are symbols of peaceful opposition to his rule.
The government bans live television and broadcast coverage of protests, although the Nairobi High Court overturned the decree. The ban has since been lifted.
The rights group condemned the police and the state’s actions.
Kenya’s bar association said security officials “unnecessary aggression and brute force” that said it led to “meaningless loss of life”.
Human rights groups said Wednesday that three police officers were injured.
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