An investigation by Reuters has revealed that Kenyan police may have tried to hide the real causes of death during anti-government protests in 2024. Many young people protested against tax increases and corruption, but some never returned home. Families are now accusing the police of covering up their deaths.
Charles Owino, a 19-year-old protester, was killed by a gunshot to the head. However, police recorded his death as a road accident. Another protester, Shaquille Obienge, was shot in the neck, but his death was also labeled as a road accident. Kepher Odiwuor Ouma, 24, was beaten unconscious by police, according to eyewitnesses. His death was listed as mob justice. Meanwhile, the body of university student Denzel Omondi was found in a pool of water, but bruises on his body suggest something happened before he drowned.
Families of the victims discovered these discrepancies when they identified the bodies and saw the morgue records. Autopsies confirmed gunshot wounds and other injuries, but police had entered different causes of death in the records.Between June and September 2024, only nine gunshot deaths were officially recorded at Nairobi’s main morgue, despite many reports of police using live bullets. During the same period, deaths from mob justice and drowning went up by nearly 60%, raising questions about the real number of victims.
Some protesters also disappeared after being taken by police. A government human rights group said there were 82 cases of missing people during the protests, with some still unaccounted for. Police have denied involvement, but witnesses say a special police unit called the Operation Action Team was responsible for targeting protesters.
President William Ruto admitted that there were “excessive actions” by police during the protests but did not give details about what the government will do to address the problem. Families of the victims are still waiting for justice and answers about what really happened.
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