Grief and outrage have engulfed families in Kiambu County after six people, including a 12-year-old girl, were shot dead during the Saba Saba Day protests. The demonstrations, initially peaceful, turned violent, leading to a police crackdown that left innocent lives lost and families shattered.
Among the victims was young Bridgit Njoki, a 12-year-old girl from Ndumberi village, who was struck by a stray bullet while watching television at home. Her mother, Lucy Ngugi, recounted the tragic moment, saying, “It was around 6:20 pm when we heard a loud bang. I saw blood on my daughter’s hand, and before I could understand what had happened, she collapsed.” A post-mortem later revealed she had a gaping gunshot wound to her head.
In Kiambu town, 23-year-old Dennis Mutuma Mwangi was shot in the neck outside his home. His mother, Friday Kawira, said he had merely stepped out to check on the commotion when he was hit from behind. “He wasn’t part of the protest. He had just finished washing his clothes,” she said tearfully.
Another grieving mother, Margaret Wangui, lost her son Laban Kamau to a gunshot wound to the head, also in Ndumberi village. “This is a rural area. We never expected such protests here, let alone gunfire,” she lamented.
Adding to the families’ anguish are the financial burdens they now face. The bereaved have been charged mortuary and post-mortem fees at Kiambu Level Five Hospital, despite the deaths being linked to police actions. They are now calling on the government to cover all medical and funeral expenses.
The violence also left others injured, including 18-year-old student Kevin Muiruri, who sustained gunshot wounds to his leg while fleeing chaos in Kabete constituency.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have launched investigations, visiting the affected families. However, calls for justice are growing louder as communities mourn the loss of innocent lives. The families are urging the government to take responsibility and ensure accountability for the tragic events that unfolded on what was meant to be a day of peaceful protest.
