JB Muturi condemns shooting of protesters in Ishiara, Mbeere North
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 14, 2026Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has spoken with deep pain and anger following the tragic killing of two residents in Ishiara, Mbeere North, who took to the streets over the dire state of healthcare at Ishiara Level 4 Hospital.
Taking to X, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Muturi described the incident as deeply personal, declaring that the victims were ordinary citizens who took to the streets not to cause violence, but to demand better health services, functional facilities, and basic human dignity.
In a strongly worded statement, the former Speaker of the National Assembly and prominent Embu leader said:
“I speak with deep pain and anger as my home, Mbeere North in Embu County, mourns the loss of two lives cut short after police allegedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in Ishiara,” the statement read in part.
Muturi emphasised that the protesters had every right to voice their frustration over the collapsing healthcare system in the county. He noted that the situation at Ishiara Level 4 Hospital has become dire, leaving residents with no option but to protest.
“Instead of listening to their cries, the response was bullets,” he lamented.
He raised serious questions about the conduct of the security officers, particularly reports that some were in plain clothes.
“Reports that the officers involved were in plain clothes raise grave concerns about accountability, command, and the rule of law. Who was in charge? Who gave the orders? Why are peaceful citizens being treated as enemies?”
Muturi warned that Kenya is drifting dangerously off course if citizens can be gunned down simply for demanding basic services. He linked the tragedy to the broader failure of devolved healthcare across counties.
“The collapse of the health sector at the county level is now costing lives, not just in hospitals, but on the streets where frustrated wananchi are left with no option but to speak out.”
“This is not the Kenya we should be building,” he added firmly.
Muturi vows justice pursuit
Standing in solidarity with the people of Ishiara, Muturi vowed not to rest until justice is served. He pledged to pursue every available avenue to ensure accountability.
“I stand firmly with the people of Ishiara. And on a personal level, I will not rest until justice is served. I will pursue every avenue necessary to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that such a tragedy never happens again,” the former CS vowed.
He demanded an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the shootings and insisted that those responsible must be brought to book without delay.
“We cannot normalise violence against unarmed citizens. We must defend the right to peaceful assembly, restore accountability in our security agencies, and fix the broken systems that are pushing our people to the edge.”
Muturi concluded by extending his condolences to the grieving families and reiterating his commitment to justice.
“My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. We stand with you in grief, and in the pursuit of justice. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.”
The incident has sparked outrage in Mbeere North, with residents expressing deep frustration over the persistent neglect of Ishiara Level 4 Hospital.