What began as a peaceful anniversary protest erupted into deadly mayhem in Kenya, leaving at least 16 people dead, hundreds wounded and entire business districts in ashes – as the government branded the unrest “terrorism disguised as dissent.”
The United Nations said Thursday it was “deeply concerned” by the violence during Wednesday’s protests, which descended into chaos as demonstrators clashed with police, hurled rocks torn from city pavements and set businesses ablaze.
The demonstrations, called to mark a year since anti-tax rallies turned deadly, spiraled into Kenya’s worst street violence in years.
“We are concerned by reports that some protesters had gunshot wounds,” said Elizabeth Throssell, spokesperson for the U.N. Human Rights Office. “Lethal force by law enforcement must only be used when strictly necessary.”
‘This was terrorism’
