The uncertainty surrounding the number of Kenyans who lost their lives during the recent anti-government protests deepened yesterday, as officials from Nairobi Funeral Home reported receiving 247 bodies last month, significantly higher than the monthly average of 160.
Nairobi County Public Health Chief Officer Tony Nyakaba indicated that, between June 25 and July 26, the facility, formerly known as City Mortuary, registered 115 bodies as unidentified. Of the 247 bodies brought to the facility, 102 were identified with their full names, and their relatives or next of kin were notified. An additional 55 bodies, initially unidentified, were later recognized, and their families were informed.
The morgue also received 13 unidentified fetuses or bodies from perinatal deaths. Additionally, 17 body parts from the Kware incident in Nairobi’s Pipeline estate are awaiting DNA identification to determine their identities.
Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor revealed last month that none of the bodies recovered from the Kware dumpsite exhibited signs of bullet wounds, either externally or upon examination.
These disclosures from City Hall contradict reports suggesting that all bodies were released and that some bodies at the City Mortuary bore bullet wounds. Activist Hussein Khalid, CEO of the human rights organization Vocal Africa, raised concerns earlier this week about the identification process conducted by the morgue.
“We have 51 bodies here that have been booked as unknown. They were brought here with bullets. We have checked the records, and many cases of missing persons started occurring on June 25,” said the activist.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported on July 16, 2024, that 50 people had died in connection with the anti-government protests. The fatalities included individuals from various regions: Nairobi (21), Nakuru (3), Laikipia (2), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (2), Kisumu (3), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1), Nandi (1), Embu (1), Homa Bay (1), Nyeri (1), and Bungoma (1).
Additionally, 14 families who lost loved ones during the Gen Z protests in June and July provided statements to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) last week, along with some witnesses. Lobby groups report that 60 people were killed, 66 were abducted or are missing, 1,376 were arrested, and 601 were injured. However, the IPOA announced that they are currently investigating 41 of the deaths.
