The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has recorded 22 casualties from Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties.

The commission said the casualties include the shooting of a peaceful civilian at close range in Nairobi’s Central Business District, who is currently in critical condition at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

“The other injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts, whiplashes, blunt trauma, and asthma attacks after inhaling teargas,” the commission said.

The protests, led by civil society groups and human rights activists, were organised to demand justice for Albert Ojwang, who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody.

In a statement signed by Vice Chairperson Raymond Nyeris, the commission condemned the arrest of protesters, including four Human Rights Defenders in Mombasa, despite the demonstrations being peaceful and lawfully notified to the police.

The commission called for their immediate and unconditional release.

It commended the majority of protesters for remaining peaceful despite attacks and provocation by the police and suspected hired goons.

“A key highlight in today's protests in Nairobi was the massive deployment of masked hired goons in motorbikes who patrolled the streets as they brutalised the protestors and innocent wananchi with tyre whips, wooden bars and other crude weapons,” it said.

The commission said it witnessed hordes of thugs viciously attack and rob protestors and other civilians on the streets of Nairobi.

“This is an unacceptable conduct by the police who are required to discharge their duties professionally and provide security for all persons in Kenya without favour or bias,” the statement read.

KNCHR further noted that most police officers involved had concealed their vehicle registration numbers and covered their faces with masks and hoods. This, it said, was in direct violation of a High Court ruling made last year that requires all police officers deployed to protests to be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times.

“When those charged with maintaining law and order break the law with such impunity, they encourage citizens to disobey the law.”