Kenya's embattled government on Thursday denounced nationwide protests that left at least 16 dead and thousands of businesses damaged, describing the unrest as "terrorism disguised as dissent." The demonstration held on Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests that peaked when a massive crowd stormed the parliament and security forces responded with deadly force.
The protests initially started out as peaceful but took a violent turn as young men clashed with the police, lit fires, and ripped up pavements to use as projectiles, as reported by AFP.
In a televised speech, the interior cabinet secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, said, "What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent.” "We condemn the criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful demonstrations, unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault, and destruction upon our people," he said, calling events an "attempted coup".
Entire shopping centres and thousands of businesses have been destroyed in Nairobi’s business district, which is the epicenter of the unrest.
Emergency responders reported several cases of gunshot injuries, while unconfirmed local media reports suggested that police had fired on protesters, especially in towns beyond the capital.
Rights group called Vocal Africa, which is documenting the deaths and helping affected families at the Nairobi Morgue, says that at least four bodies have been brought in as of yet. All of them died in a gunfight.
Earlier, a coalition of rights groups had reported that around 400 people have been injured so far, and 83 are in serious condition and are under intensive care. The protests were documented across 23 counties in Kenya.
The United Nations on Thursday said that it was “deeply concerned” over the current situation in Kenya. UN human rights office spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell said in a statement,"We are deeply concerned by reports of several deaths of protesters and many more injuries -- of protesters and police officers -- during demonstrations in Kenya on Wednesday,".
The protests initially started out as peaceful but took a violent turn as young men clashed with the police, lit fires, and ripped up pavements to use as projectiles, as reported by AFP.
In a televised speech, the interior cabinet secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, said, "What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent.” "We condemn the criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful demonstrations, unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault, and destruction upon our people," he said, calling events an "attempted coup".
Entire shopping centres and thousands of businesses have been destroyed in Nairobi’s business district, which is the epicenter of the unrest.
Emergency responders reported several cases of gunshot injuries, while unconfirmed local media reports suggested that police had fired on protesters, especially in towns beyond the capital.
Rights group called Vocal Africa, which is documenting the deaths and helping affected families at the Nairobi Morgue, says that at least four bodies have been brought in as of yet. All of them died in a gunfight.
Earlier, a coalition of rights groups had reported that around 400 people have been injured so far, and 83 are in serious condition and are under intensive care. The protests were documented across 23 counties in Kenya.
The United Nations on Thursday said that it was “deeply concerned” over the current situation in Kenya. UN human rights office spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell said in a statement,"We are deeply concerned by reports of several deaths of protesters and many more injuries -- of protesters and police officers -- during demonstrations in Kenya on Wednesday,".
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