NAIROBI, Kenya, May 23 (UPI) -- Kenyan authorities are suspected of trying to cover up alleged police shootings of protesters during an election rally in March, Human Rights Watch said.
The rights organization reports five people died and more than 20 others were injured when police allegedly opened fire on demonstrators in Kisumu, Kenya, in late March.
"Not only did the police open fire on protesters in Kisumu on March 30, but it seems they tried to conceal the evidence and intimidate the victims," Deputy Director for Africa programs Leslie Lefkow said in a statement.
March 30 rallies were organized by demonstrators upset with a decision by the Kenyan Supreme Court that upheld the election victory for President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto.
Human Rights Watch reported that police used excessive force during election protests in Kisumu in 2007. At least 115 people died as a result of the police use of live ammunition.
More than 1,000 Kenyans died in the political violence following 2007 elections. Kenyatta and Ruto were accused by the International Criminal Court of playing a role in the post-election violence. Both men deny the charges. A truth and reconciliation investigation in Kenya supported the ICC's claims, however.
