NAIROBI — The death toll from Kenya’s anti-government protests on Monday has surged to 31, the state-funded human rights commission said on Tuesday.

It marks the highest single-day toll since demonstrations began earlier this year. Over 50 people have reportedly been killed over the past two weeks.

A further 107 people were injured and more than 500 arrested amid widespread destruction to property, including supermarkets. The arrest figure largely matched with that issued by Kenyan police.

The death toll did not specify whether security forces were included.

The protests are led by youth and civil society groups and have rocked Kenya for weeks. Driven by anger over police brutality, alleged government corruption and a rising cost of living, many demonstrators have called for the resignation of Kenyan President William Ruto.

Ruto has not commented on Monday’s violence or the rising death toll.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Kenyan authorities to address the root causes of the protest. His spokesperson Ravina Skamdasini renewed calls for “calm and restraint, and full respect for the freedom of expression, associated and peaceful assembly.”

Tensions in Kenya escalate since the death of a blogger in police custody last month and the June 17 shooting of a protester at close range. On June 25, thousands rallied across the country in protest.

Some businesses reported significant losses due to looting during the unrest.

Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen last week urged police to “shoot on sight” anyone approaching police stations during protests.

The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission on Tuesday urged politicians to avoid stoking ethnic divisions and condemned the police for excessive use of force. — Euronews