Wed Sep 25 09:28:00 UTC 2024: ## Kenyan Police Fired Live Rounds at Protesters: Amnesty International
**Nairobi, Kenya** – Amnesty International has accused Kenyan police of firing live rounds at protesters outside the country’s parliament complex on June 25th, 2024. The human rights group released a report detailing its investigation, which involved interviews with 23 witnesses and analysis of numerous videos and photographs.
According to Amnesty, plainclothes officers without identification or marked vehicles actively shot at protesters and made arrests. The organization alleges that at least 45 shots were fired within 56 seconds as unarmed protesters entered the parliament building. Witnesses reported seeing at least six protesters shot and killed.
The protests were sparked by a controversial finance bill, which led to months of unrest and ultimately resulted in President William Ruto abandoning the legislation and dismissing most of his cabinet.
Amnesty further claims that Kenyan police unlawfully used tear gas and engaged in beatings and arbitrary detentions of peaceful demonstrators. While some protesters reacted by throwing tear gas canisters back at officers, throwing stones, breaking windows, and taking flags, the use of live rounds by police is a grave concern, according to the organization.
The Kenyan National Police have yet to respond to Amnesty’s allegations.
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