Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has issued a powerful call for accountability and urgent police reforms following the tragic death of 12-year-old Bridgit Wainaina in Kiambu County. The young girl was fatally struck by a stray bullet while watching television with her parents in their home in Ndumberi village during the July 7 protests.
In an emotional statement shared on social media, Passaris expressed profound grief after watching Bridgit’s funeral, describing the heartbreaking scenes of children mourning their classmate and a mother in indescribable pain.
“My eyes burn. My heart is heavy,” she wrote. “Watching Bridgit’s funeral on the news and seeing a community shattered was utterly heartbreaking.”
Passaris laid out a six-point demand to the government and law enforcement agencies, urging decisive action. Among her demands are an official apology from the police, a transparent and public explanation of the circumstances that led to Bridgit’s death, and full compensation for her grieving family.
Additionally, she called for the mandatory use of body cameras by police officers during public operations, a ban on the use of live bullets in managing protests, and comprehensive human rights training for officers.
“Bridgit is gone. We can’t bring her back. But if we care at all, things must change,” Passaris stated, emphasizing that both the police and the state must be held accountable for the incident.
Bridgit’s death occurred when a bullet, allegedly fired by police during a confrontation with protesters nearly two kilometers away, pierced through the wall of her home and fatally struck her in the head.
Her mother, Lucy Ngugi, recounted the horrifying moment: “We heard a loud bang. I saw blood on her hands and thought she had scratched herself. Then I saw a hole in her head. I screamed for help.”
Bridgit was rushed to St. Bridget’s Hospital but died while being resuscitated.
The incident has sparked national outrage, with rights groups and several lawmakers joining calls for independent investigations into protest-related deaths.
“Bridgit’s death must not be in vain,” Passaris said. “The police must answer for their actions, and the state must answer for the system that allowed this to happen.”
