The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has asked the government to fast-track postmortem examinations for those killed during the recent nationwide protests and ensure that hospital and mortuary bills for the victims are fully waived.

In a strongly worded statement, the commission criticised the slow pace of the postmortem process, saying it was adding more pain to grieving families, most of whom are financially burdened.

By July 11, the commission had recorded 38 deaths caused by gunshots and police beatings during the Saba Saba demonstrations held on and after July 7. The victims include children, women and young people. Some died while undergoing treatment in public health facilities.

According to the commission, over 130 people were injured in the protests, while hundreds were arrested in connection to the unrest.

The KNCHR raised concerns about reports that families are being asked to pay for postmortem procedures and hospital bills, despite a government assurance that such costs would be covered.

“The commission urges the government to support the affected families to have the postmortem conducted hastily and procedurally in the presence of IPOA, independent pathologists and legal representatives of the families,” KNCHR said.

“The families claim they are also being asked to pay the postmortem charges in addition to other medical and mortuary bills, contrary to the waiver issued by the government. A majority of these families are underprivileged and unable to pay the bills,” the commission added.

The protests, which erupted in at least 17 counties, saw intense confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. Kajiado and Kiambu counties were among the worst hit, with reports of damage to both private property and government buildings, including police stations.

KNCHR disclosed that out of the 15 postmortems conducted so far, 14 confirmed death from gunshot wounds.

The conduct of the police during the demonstrations has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations. They cited the use of excessive force, including the firing of live bullets and tear gas in residential areas. There were also claims of plain-clothed officers operating alongside unidentified armed persons.

Rights groups have cautioned that unless there is full accountability for the killings, similar abuses are likely to occur during future protests.

Civil society organisations have urged families not to bury their loved ones before official autopsies are carried out. The Law Society of Kenya, the Independent Medico-Legal Unit and IPOA warned that early burials could destroy vital evidence and hinder efforts to investigate and prosecute unlawful killings.

KNCHR maintained that postmortems must be timely, transparent, and carried out with full independence, noting that such procedures are essential for upholding the rule of law and restoring public trust in the justice system.