Sixty-five people were killed during recent violent demonstrations in Kenya as police used “disproportionate force”, the policing watchdog said Thursday.

The country has been shaken by a wave of demonstrations against police brutality and poor governance under President William Ruto in the last two months.

Rights groups accuse authorities of a harsh crackdown including police shootings and the use of armed gangs who have attacked protesters, as well as looting and destroying thousands of businesses.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said 65 people died during the protests that occurred on June 12, 17 and 25, and July 7.

It observed “significant breaches of constitutional policing standards” including “use of disproportionate force, lack of professionalism, and failure to uphold public safety and rights”.

IPOA also said the “violence, looting and destruction of property by persons disguised as protesters and opportunistic goons was unprecedented and in some instances overwhelmed the police.”

It documented 41 fatalities, 156 civilian injuries, 72 police injuries, and 760 arrests across the country on July 7 alone, a day known as “Saba Saba” that sees annual marches to commemorate a pro-democracy uprising in the 1990s.

The other major day of protest occurred on June 25 — marking one year since massive anti-tax rallies — with IPOA putting the national death toll at 23, with 99 police and 195 civilians wounded.

In an incident caught on camera, a police officer shot a street hawker, Boniface Kariuki, point-blank in the face during protests on June 17. He later died in hospital and the officer has been charged.

IPOA said the National Police Service (NPS) only notified them of five fatalities, which “undermines independent oversight, violates legal reporting obligations, and signals a worrying culture of non-compliance”.

It referenced a lack of preparedness and the widespread use of anonymous officers in which officers masked their identity.

“These shortcomings collectively contributed to the injuries, fatalities, and property damage experienced during the demonstrations,” it said.

Ruto has repeatedly defended the police and their actions — even calling for violent protesters to be “shot in the leg”.