NAIROBI, Kenya- The City Mortuary in Nairobi was awash with tears and anguish on Wednesday as relatives of missing persons combed through the facility, desperately searching for their loved ones in the aftermath of yesterday’s deadly protests.
The violent clashes between protestors and police resulted in an unknown number of deaths and scores of injuries, marking one of the most tragic days in Kenya’s recent history.
While Nairobi County health officials put the number of deaths at 12, human rights organizations say they have documented more than 50 deaths.
Most of the killings are said to have happened in Githurai 45, where police and protestors engaged in an ugly clash.
As protestors engaged in running battles with the police, the chaos culminated in the dramatic occupation of Parliament.
Gunfire rang out, and several protestors were shot, adding to the mounting death toll.
Parents, siblings, and friends gathered at the City Mortuary, each face etched with fear and sorrow, hoping to find answers about the fate of their missing kin.
Among the grieving was a parent of a 20-year-old missing son, whose anguish turned into a fiery resolve.
“Let them also kill us,” the parent cried out, vowing to join the protests on Thursday.
Her son was in the company of his friends, but hours later has not been seen and his phone remains off.
“Are we going to just release our kids to go to the protest alone,” the teary mother, identified as Mama Earnest, said.
This sentiment echoed through the halls of the mortuary, with many relatives expressing their
anger and frustration at the government’s handling of the situation.
More than 100 young protestors sustained gunshot wounds during the demonstrations, which President William Ruto has termed treasonous.
In a stern nighttime address, the President accused unnamed financiers of orchestrating the protests and promised a major crackdown.
His response has been swift and controversial, with the deployment of military personnel to key government installations to assist the police in quelling the unrest.
This move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations, lawyers, and opposition leaders, who argue that involving the military in managing internal affairs is both illegal and dangerous.
Martha Karua, a prominent opposition figure, condemned the government’s actions, stating, “It is wrong for the government to involve the military in the management of internal affairs. This sets a dangerous precedent and undermines our democratic values.”
The protests, primarily driven by the youth, have been sparked by proposed tax hikes in the Financial Bill 2024.
The demonstrators argue that the bill will disproportionately affect the already struggling populace.
Despite the President’s allegations of financial backing behind the protests, the youth remain resolute, insisting that their grievances are genuine and born out of the harsh economic realities they face.
As Thursday approaches, the streets of Nairobi and other major cities are expected to fill once again with protestors.
