Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has announced that the county government will waive medical bills for youths injured during the Saba Saba protests held on Monday, July 8. The demonstrations, which turned violent in various parts of the county, left 11 people injured and four dead.
Speaking during a visit to a protest victim admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Murang’a County Referral Hospital, Kang’ata confirmed that one patient is in critical condition, while another is receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. Additional victims are hospitalised at Githumu Mission Hospital (3), Aberdare Modern Hospital (4), and two others were treated and discharged from Kigumo Sub-County Hospital.
“All the injured are reported to be in stable condition,” Kang’ata said, while commending medical personnel for their swift and dedicated response, which helped prevent further fatalities.
Four lives were lost during the protests two in Kangema from gunshot wounds, one in Kabati, and another in Kangari. The governor extended his condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them of the county’s support during this difficult time.
Kang’ata emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, the destruction of property and loss of life was deeply regrettable. He urged leaders to be more receptive to public criticism and to engage with the concerns raised by the youth.
The governor also claimed that many involved in the chaos were not local residents. He cited looting incidents at two County Supermarket branches in Kenol and Kabati and at Magunas Supermarket in Kahawa West and Meru. In Murang’a town, stalls were vandalized, and a hotel was broken into, while in Kangari, youths pelted a police station with stones and damaged the post office.
Police have arrested 33 individuals in connection with the unrest, with eight already arraigned in Kandara Law Courts.
Harry Mbote, whose brother Kelvin Mwaniki is among the injured, said the 22-year-old boda boda operator was shot twice in the abdomen while protesting rising insecurity. Another victim, Julius Muli, a 30-year-old casual labourer, will be buried on July 16 in Machakos County.
