Police confirmed three deaths in Mlolongo, two in Kitengela, and one each in Emali and Sondu–all shot dead in day-long confrontations with police.

“Three people were killed in Mlolongo, two in Kitengela, and one in Emali,” a senior police officer said, “we also have a death in Sondu.”

Dozens of people including police officers were also injured in the protests called by Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The epicenter of the protests was in the capital Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kisumu, Kisii and Nyamira counties.

There was no immediate statement from police headquarters that banned the protests Tuesday.

Six other people were shot dead in Kisumu, Kisii and Migori last week, sparking outrage from the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights which warned police against excessive use of force on protesters.

“It is very unfortunate that 33 years later, when Kenya was celebrating democracy, we witnessed the return of a police state where the police brutalized unarmed, peaceful Kenyans exercising their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of assembly as they expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of the economy,” said Roseline Odede, KNCHR’s Chairperson who placed the number of those killed in last week’s protests at seven. But the Interior Ministry only confirmed six who include 2 in Kisumu, one in Migori and three in Kisii.

Odede spoke on the day Opposition leader Raila Odinga was forced to call off a planned rally in Kamukunji-Nairobi following teargas by police who also fired live bullets to disperse a crowd that had gathered ready for an address from the Azimio leader.

By Fred Odanga Azelwa.