Kenyan Security Forces Identified in Fatal Protester Shootings During Anti-Tax Demonstrations

 

An investigation has revealed that members of Kenya’s security forces fatally shot unarmed anti-tax protesters during a mass demonstration at parliament on 25 June 2024. The killings occurred as thousands protested the government’s Finance Bill 2024, which proposed unpopular tax increases. Despite Kenya’s constitutional right to peaceful protest, security forces used live ammunition, resulting in at least three confirmed deaths at the parliamentary complex. Using thousands of images and videos from the scene, analysts reconstructed the events in 3D, identifying specific officers responsible for the shootings. One officer was recorded firing into a crowd after a plain-clothes officer was heard shouting “kill” in Swahili. Among the dead were software engineer David Chege, butcher Ericsson Mutisya, and finance student Eric Shieni, all of whom were unarmed and posed no threat. Despite public outrage and a parliamentary order for an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, no report has been released and no officer has been held accountable. The Kenyan Defence Forces stated they had not received any request to investigate personnel involved, while police said they could not investigate themselves. Evidence shows that protesters briefly entered parliament grounds before being pushed back. As they exited, shots were fired again, and Shieni was killed with a bullet to the back of his head. Legal experts said the manner of the shooting clearly showed intent to kill. Following the violence and widespread backlash, President William Ruto praised security forces for defending national sovereignty but later withdrew the finance bill. Human rights groups reported 39 deaths and 361 injuries across the country during the protests. To date, no official accountability or justice has been delivered for those who lost their lives.

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