False Reporting of Protester Deaths
Kenyan police have been accused of misreporting the deaths of anti-government protesters during nationwide protests in June and July 2023. According to a Reuters investigation, several victims, including 19-year-old Charles Owino and 21-year-old Shaquille Obienge, were killed by gunshot wounds, but their deaths were falsely recorded as road accidents in morgue logbooks.
Owino, who was shot in the head during a protest near Nairobi, was listed as a victim of a “road accident” by police, despite an autopsy confirming the gunshot wound. Similarly, Obienge, who died from a gunshot to the neck, was also misclassified as a road accident victim in the morgue logs, despite his autopsy showing clear signs of a fatal gunshot injury.
Discrepancies Found by Families
Family members of the victims uncovered these discrepancies when they identified their loved ones’ bodies at the morgue and matched them with the police records. Eyewitnesses and relatives have claimed that police often misclassify the causes of death to cover up their actions during protests, which were marked by violent crackdowns. Reuters interviewed three officers who confirmed that the police sometimes falsely attribute deaths to “mob justice,” “drownings,” or “accidents” to avoid accountability.
Protests Sparked by Tax Hikes and Corruption
The protests, which were triggered by rising taxes and political corruption, saw widespread unrest across the country. Human rights groups have accused the Kenyan authorities of covering up extrajudicial killings, abductions, and illegal detentions. The National Commission on Human Rights recorded 82 cases of enforced disappearances between June and December 2023, a significant increase from previous years.
Eyewitness Testimonies and Police Involvement
In one case, 24-year-old Kepher Odiwuor Ouma was allegedly beaten unconscious by police during a protest in July, but his death was recorded as “mob justice” in the morgue logbook, despite eyewitnesses stating that he had been detained and assaulted by police officers. Another victim, Denzel Omondi, was found dead in a pond, and his death was listed as drowning, even though the autopsy showed signs of blunt force trauma.
Official Silence and Ongoing Investigations
The police have not responded to specific questions about the deaths examined by Reuters. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which investigates police brutality, has registered complaints from families, but its investigation into these cases remains ongoing.
Government Acknowledgment and Public Outcry
The Kenyan government, led by President William Ruto, has acknowledged instances of excessive force by police. In a December speech, Ruto admitted that some lives were lost due to police action but defended the use of lethal force in certain circumstances. However, rights groups continue to demand accountability for the deaths and disappearances linked to the protests.
The Road Ahead for Accountability
As the investigation into the protests continues, many are questioning whether the authorities will address the allegations of police cover-ups and brutality that have overshadowed the events.