Nairobi [Kenya], July 2 (HBTV): At least 39 people have been killed in recent anti-government protests in Kenya against the new tax hike, reported Al Jazeera, citing the national rights watchdog. 

The activists have geared up for a new round of protests this week in Kenya. 

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) announced the toll on Monday, which is almost double the figure previously disclosed by the government for those killed while demonstrating against a raft of unpopular tax increases that have now been withdrawn. 

The KNCHR further indicated that 39 people had died and 361 had been injured "in relation to the protests countrywide", the state-funded body said in a statement, adding that the figures covered the period from June 18 to July 1, reported Al Jazeera. It stated that there had been 32 cases of "enforced or involuntary disappearances" and 627 arrests of protesters. 

Largely peaceful anti-tax rallies, led by mostly young Gen-Z protesters, descended into shocking scenes of deadly violence the previous Tuesday when lawmakers passed the contentious legislation.  

Later, following the announcement of the vote, crowds ransacked the parliament complex in central Nairobi. The complex was partly set ablaze as police fired live bullets at protesters, as reported by Al Jazeera.  

This event is the most serious crisis to be confronted by the government of President William Ruto since he took office in September 2022 following a deeply divisive election in a nation often considered a beacon of stability in a turbulent region.  

Ruto, in a televised interview on Sunday, said 19 people had died in the protests, but insisted that he did not have "blood on my hands" and pledged an investigation into the deaths. 

The KNCHR "continues to condemn in the strongest terms possible the unwarranted violence and force that was inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, lawyers, journalists and on safe spaces such as churches, medical emergency centres, and ambulances," the rights body said. 

"We maintain that the force used against the protesters was excessive and disproportionate," it added. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.