KNCHR Rejects Ruto’s Allegations of Misleading Data on Githurai Killings

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• President Ruto accused KNCHR of falsely reporting a massacre in Githurai during protests, citing lower death figures.
• KNCHR denied Ruto’s claims, affirming ongoing investigations into alleged police shootings during the protests.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has refuted President William Ruto’s claims that the state-funded rights watchdog provided misleading information to the public about a reported ‘massacre’ in Nairobi’s Githurai area. 

These allegations followed a series of anti-Finance Bill protests on Tuesday, June 25, during which unconfirmed reports surfaced, claiming that police and military forces were killing people in the residential area late at night.

During a media roundtable at State House Nairobi on Sunday, Ruto addressed the number of people killed by the police since the protests began. 

He stated that the number was 19, while rights groups, including KNCHR, have reported much higher figures. 

Ruto specifically accused the commission of falsely reporting that 20 people were killed in the Githurai ‘massacre.’

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However, KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede dismissed Ruto’s claims in a statement later that evening, insisting that the commission did not issue such a statement. 

“We, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, have not issued any statement on Githurai. We are still in the process of confirming the happenings in Githurai, Rongai, Migori, Nakuru, and other parts of the country,” Odede said. 

She added that the commission had data confirming 22 deaths resulting from the protests as of their last statement on Wednesday and that they have since confirmed 24 deaths since the protests began on June 18.

In its press statement on June 26, KNCHR did not provide any figures regarding the alleged killings in Githurai, contrary to President Ruto’s claims. Instead, the commission stated that it was investigating the allegations. 

“The Commission witnessed with shock as police officers moved into residential areas of Githurai and Jinja in the evening of Tuesday 25th June 2024 and were allegedly involved in the indiscriminate shooting of civilians. As a result, the Commission has 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 rights body said at the time.