• At least 31 people dead during anti-government protests in Kenya.
• Protests were held on July 7, coinciding with Saba Saba Day, calling for reform and accountability.
• Police engaged demonstrators with lethal force, resulting in injuries and widespread arrests.
• Human rights groups document severe violations and demand accountability from authorities.
• Protests have raised concerns about increasing political unrest and civil liberties in Kenya.

Protests erupted across Kenya on July 7, marking Saba Saba Day, leading to at least 31 deaths according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). This day commemorates previous struggles for democracy, yet this year it devolved into violent clashes with police, prompting widespread outrage and calls for accountability from the government. The KNCHR documented over 532 arrests and 107 injuries amid ongoing unrest, many participants demanding President William Ruto's resignation due to allegations of corruption and poor governance, according to AllAfrica and Le Monde.

The protests turned violent as police enforced heavy security measures, deploying teargas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Reports indicate that demonstrators were met with live ammunition from police, leading to fatalities and injuries. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes in areas like Nairobi’s Kangemi and Kitengela as police engaged protesters attempting to block roads, according to Africa News and TRT World.

KNCHR condemned the use of excessive force and the involvement of unmarked police vehicles in the violence, leading accusations of the government cooperating with criminal gangs to disrupt the protests. The escalating violence prompted the UN Human Rights Office to express concern, calling for an independent investigation into the killings and police actions during the protests, as noted by BBC and Africa News.

The aftermath of the protests saw widespread looting and damage to businesses, heightening the stakes in an already tense political climate. With the growing death toll from protests against police brutality, analysts suggest this might represent a significant turning point in public dissent against the government, which has seen similar unrest over the past year due to dissatisfaction with economic and social conditions, as reported by Al Jazeera and Africa News.