The report published over the weekend came from fact-finding investigations by the BBC following reports of the massacre which saw conflicting reports of people killed surfacing all over the internet and news platforms.
President William Ruto has denied reports of a massacre in Githurai on Tuesday, June 25 following the anti-Finance Bill protests.
The Head of State, who was in the hot seat during the Presidential Hot Seat at State House on Sunday, referenced an investigation done by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which found no evidence of mass killings in Githurai.
“BBC on that account went to investigate in Githurai, and of course, you know, you have read. BBC has said there was no massacre in Githurai. There was 1 person who was shot by the police,” he revealed.
The report published over the weekend came from fact-finding investigations by the BBC following reports of the massacre which saw conflicting reports of people killed surfacing all over the internet and news platforms.
Screengrab of police officers in Githurai on June 25, 2024. /BBC
BBC had found that old videos filmed in 2022 were being reshared on social media, purporting to show protesters walking along a street carrying flaming torches at the protests.
“The BBC Global Disinformation Unit had previously investigated the clip and discovered that it was recorded in Ghana two years ago. This is not the first time it has been misrepresented.
“Despite the incomplete understanding of what happened in Githurai, as Kenyans woke up on Wednesday morning reports began to spread of an alleged massacre,” read the report in part.
The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights had told the media outlet that it had “received unverified reports of scores of residents who were killed by the stray bullets”, which it said it would investigate.
“An organization that is as reckless as to say there was a massacre when there was none now is telling us there are 24 and the police are saying 19. We will know where the numbers are but that is the credibility of the organisation that you’re telling me,” Ruto meanwhile added, criticising the KNCHR.
A police report seen by Viral Tea from the Githurai-Mwiki Police Station indicated that a protest that began peacefully turned riotous when an alleged group of about 6,000 became violent and lit a bonfire on a road in the area.
“Police officers led by the sub-county commander tried to negotiate with them to peaceably disperse but they refused and started pelting the officers with stones. A proclamation was read by the sub-county commander but they did not disperse instead turned very violent,” stated the report filed under OB Number 46/25/06/2024 at 9.15 pm.
The police add that teargas was fired at the protesters but they overpowered the officers forcing them to withdraw. What followed, according to the police, was more violence that saw their Land Cruiser vandalised and torched, as the protesters followed them to the police station and surrounded two other stations.
In the process, 20 officers suffered injuries to their limbs, were rushed to various hospitals, and released in fair condition.
“During the demonstration, 740 blanks and rounds of spent cartridges and more than 700 pieces of teargas canisters were used to disperse the violent rioters,” the statement added.
A police officer stands near a burning vehicle at the Parliament buildings during a demonstration against Kenya’s proposed Finance Bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, on June 25, 2024. /REUTERS