KNCHR: Death toll from Saba Saba protests rises to 38

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has confirmed that 38 people have died following the Saba Saba Day protests held on July 7, 2025.

In an update released on Friday evening, the Commission said at least 130 people are still nursing injuries at home or in various hospitals across the country.

The Commission said it continues to monitor human rights violations linked to the demonstrations and is supporting affected families in conducting postmortems.

The postmortems are being carried out in partnership with the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and other civil society organisations.

According to the report, the fatalities were recorded in Kiambu (8), Nairobi (6), Kajiado (6), Nakuru (4), Kirinyaga (3), Murang’a (3), Embu (2), Meru (2), Laikipia (2), Nyandarua (1), and Nyamira (1).

The Commission also revealed that four of the deceased are female, two are children, and most of the victims already identified are youth under the age of 25.

Out of 15 postmortems conducted so far, 14 revealed death from gunshot wounds.

One of the victims was a 12-year-old girl shot while watching TV at home in Kiambu.

KNCHR called on the government to support the affected families by fast-tracking postmortems in the presence of IPOA, independent pathologists, and family legal representatives.

The Commission raised concerns over reports that some families are being asked to pay postmortem, medical, and mortuary fees despite earlier government promises to waive these charges.

“A majority of these families are underprivileged and unable to pay the bills,” KNCHR said.

The Commission has urged the Ministry of Health to “immediately and unconditionally waive all the medical bills incurred by the victims of the Saba Saba demonstrations as earlier indicated by the Government.”

KNCHR said it remains committed to its constitutional and legal mandate to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights during times of unrest.