KNCHR Confirms 31 Deaths from Saba Saba Protests as Child Fatalities Spark Outrage.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has officially confirmed 31 people died during the Saba Saba Day protests on 7 July 2025, one of the deadliest incidents linked to demonstrations in recent history.
The protests, to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1990 Saba Saba pro-democracy movement, were held across the country and turned violent despite efforts by security agencies to restrict access to central Nairobi and other urban areas.
KNCHR Vice-Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris issued a statement on 8 July 2025 documenting the fatalities, injuries, arrests and abductions during the protests.
By 7:00 pm on Tuesday, the commission had recorded 31 deaths, 107 injuries, 532 arrests and 2 abductions. KNCHR described the events as “disturbing” and said the loss of life was a gross violation of human rights and called for accountability from all stakeholders including civilians and security agencies.
Among the confirmed fatalities was 12-year-old Bridget Njoki Wainaina who was hit by a stray bullet in her family home in Ndumberi, Kiambu County. The incident occurred around 6:20 pm on Monday 7 July when police were dispersing protesters in the area. Wainaina had stayed at home due to security concerns related to the protests and was with her siblings when the bullet pierced the house.
According to her mother, the family heard a loud bang before finding the child bleeding. “It was around 6:20 pm when we heard a loud bang. On checking on my daughter I saw she had blood on her hands. At first I thought something had scratched her but upon looking closely I saw she had a hole on her head. That’s when I shouted for help and her father came in.”
Wainaina was taken to St. Bridget’s Hospital where medical personnel tried to resuscitate her and prepare her for surgery. But the hospital later confirmed her heart had stopped and multiple attempts to revive her failed.
The death has sparked outrage from the public and leaders. Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has blamed the fatality on the recent directive by Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen. Wamuchomba said, “I’m in pain and defeated to see many young people die from bullets during demos. We can confirm the recent order to shoot to kill by the Security Minister was taken seriously. But why shoot to kill an innocent child?”
This comes after 12 year old Kennedy Onyango was killed on 1st July 2024 during Gen Z protests. Onyango was shot 8 times while going to get a schoolbook from a neighboring house as protests turned violent with gunfire, looting and property destruction.
KNCHR’s figures are different from those released by National Police Service (NPS). In a statement issued on 7th July 2025, NPS reported 11 fatalities, 63 injuries- 52 of which were police officers- and damage to 12 police vehicles, 3 government vehicles and 4 civilian vehicles. NPS report did not match KNCHR’s higher figures and did not provide details on civilian casualties in private homes.
KNCHR also identified Kiserian, Ngong and Kitengela as among the most affected areas during the protests. The commission has asked all those with verifiable information on violations or disappearances to provide documentation to aid in the ongoing investigations.
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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has issued a separate statement expressing concern over the use of lethal force and calling on Kenyan authorities to address the root causes of the anger.
KNCHR concluded by saying no circumstances justify the use of excessive force against unarmed civilians and that 7th July was a big blow to constitutional rights in the country. The commission said accountability will be pursued in accordance with national and international laws.
KNCHR Confirms 31 Deaths from Saba Saba Protests as Child Fatalities Spark Outrage.