Kenyan police fired tear gas in the capital Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa to break up anti-government protests.
In both city centers, many businesses remain closed. Demonstrators also took to the streets in other cities, including Kisumu.
Human rights groups say 39 people have been killed by security forces since protests began two weeks ago against a controversial finance bill.
President William Ruto has since abandoned his proposed tax increase, but the demonstrations have turned into calls for his resignation and anger over police brutality.
Burning cars were seen amid chaotic scenes in Mombasa as protesters clashed with police.
Clashes in Nairobi forced magistrates to postpone a hearing at the city’s court, National Daily reported.
Some shopkeepers in the central business districts of Nairobi and Mombasa have hired vigilantes patrolling with sticks to prevent looting.
Astin Kibowen, 21, who works as a music store keeper in Nairobi, told the BBC he hoped the president would “listen to our cries and our voices”.
Kenyans have been hit by a cost-of-living crisis with increases in wages, fuel and sales taxes since President Ruto came to power two years ago promising to revive the economy.
The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) said most of the protesters were killed as MPs voted to pass the bill last Tuesday.
A statement on Monday night said 17 people had died in Nairobi and 22 in other parts of the country.
There were also 361 injuries, 32 cases of “enforced or involuntary disappearances” and 627 arrests, the report said.
Amnesty International said 24 protesters died during the protests. Previously, the police announced the death toll as 19.
One artist told the BBC she planned to capture the demonstrations taking place in Nairobi.
“We are mourning children killed by police,” Linda Indakwa, 29, said, pointing to a piece of art. “As others chanted, I am making art. The man was killed last week. I saw a flag on him when he was shot.
KNCHR “condemns in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked violence and force against protesters, medical staff, lawyers, journalists and safe spaces such as church medical emergency centers and ambulances”.
The report said the force used against protesters was “excessive and disproportionate.”
President Ruto said in a roundtable interview with journalists on Sunday that the police were “doing their best”.
He added that “if there is any excess” it would be addressed through “existing mechanisms”.
Additional reporting by the BBC’s Gladys Kigo and Mercy Juma in Nairobi.
