Finance Bill protests: Was there a massacre in Githurai?

Amidst the chaotic backdrop of this week's violent clashes in Nairobi and accusations of heavy-handed government responses to protests, rumours took hold and exacerbated an already tense situation.

On Tuesday, citizens watched in horror as Nairobi descended into a day of bloodshed. The Independent Police Oversight Authority is now investigating allegations that police shot and killed protesters outside the national parliament during demonstrations that reportedly claimed at least 23 lives.

Shortly thereafter, reports began circulating of an even more brutal incident—an alleged massacre of civilians in Githurai, a residential suburb northeast of central Nairobi. These unverified claims quickly spread on social media, with some alleging over 200 deaths.

The rumours gained traction, prompting reputable organizations to call for an independent inquiry. When protesters returned to Nairobi's center on Thursday, many cited the alleged Githurai massacre as a motivation.

However, a BBC investigation found no evidence to substantiate claims of mass killings in Githurai, highlighting how misinformation can proliferate during times of crisis.

Here, we dissect how events unfolded:

Initial reports from Githurai emerged late Tuesday evening amidst widespread chaos across Kenya. Tens of thousands had gathered in central Nairobi for protests that escalated dramatically, resulting in the storming of parliament, fatal shootings of demonstrators, looting, and clashes with police.

As darkness fell, Githurai residents noticed a heightened police and possibly military presence. Communications were sporadic due to internet outages and disrupted mobile networks, but some videos depicting the turmoil surfaced on social media.

BBC Verify authenticated several videos showing intense gunfire around Githurai's main roundabout on Thika Highway. The footage included security forces advancing and firing, though it was unclear whether at protesters, into the air, or with live ammunition.

Despite the presence of graphic images online, verifying reported casualties proved challenging. One particularly graphic image showed a body riddled with bullets, but its authenticity was difficult to confirm due to its close-range and lack of identifiable markers.

Further authenticated videos depicted smoke rising in the distance and people raising their hands in apparent surrender. Vehicles resembling military or police were visible, with some footage indicating road blockades by protesters.

Social media exacerbated the situation with old videos resurfacing and misrepresenting current events. The BBC Global Disinformation Unit had previously debunked footage from Ghana, wrongly portrayed as recent Kenyan protests.

Despite mounting uncertainty about events in Githurai, rumors persisted, prompting widespread public outrage and media coverage. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights received reports of fatalities and called for investigation, echoed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

LSK President Faith Odhiambo initially demanded international scrutiny into the alleged massacre, fueled by public anger over perceived police brutality. However, she later acknowledged lacking evidence to substantiate the claim and expressed readiness to retract her statement.

The Police Reform Working Group also referenced a "massacre" in Githurai, later revising their stance as unverified.

By Wednesday afternoon, the BBC deployed reporters to Githurai, where the atmosphere had calmed considerably. Despite witnessing evidence of violent confrontations, including a burned police vehicle, no corroborated reports of fatalities emerged.

The investigation revealed conflicting accounts, with some alleging attacks on police, and others mourning alleged civilian deaths. The lack of verifiable evidence cast doubt on claims of mass casualties, despite widespread belief in a significant incident.

As Kenya grappled with the aftermath, questions persisted about the authorities' handling of protests and calls for accountability. International observers, including the UN, expressed concern over Kenya's response to demonstrations, emphasizing the need to protect the right to peaceful protest.

Yet, amidst the chaos, the truth behind the alleged Githurai massacre remained elusive. The incident underscored the potency of online communication in shaping public opinion and activism, capable of both inspiring movements and perpetuating misinformation during times of crisis.