Tears and despair gripped families in Kiambu after six people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed by police during “Saba Saba Day” protests.  

The victims’ families are demanding justice, compensation and an independent investigation into the use of live bullets by police. 

Lucy Ngugi whose 12-year-old daughter Bridgit Njoki was shot dead while watching TV at their home in Ndumberi village was inconsolable.  

“It was around 6:20 pm, and we were at home as a family when tragedy struck as a stray bullet penetrated our house and hit my daughter on the head,” Ngugi recounted, adding that their home is some metres away from the main road where protests were taking place.  

Njoki died while being resuscitated at St. Brigid’s Hospital. 

Another victim, Dennis Mutuma Mwangi, 23, was shot dead outside his home in Kiambu town.  

His mother, Friday Kawira, tearfully stated, “My son was shot from the back, meaning he was running away. The bullet exited through the neck, killing him instantly right outside our home.”  

She insists her son was not protesting but had just stepped outside to see what was happening after washing his clothes. 

Laban Kamau was also shot in the head in Ndumberi village.

His mother, Margaret Wangui, expressed her shock: “Ndumberi is a village and not a town centre, we were shocked to see such protests which have left me without a son and it is so hurtful since my son is not a criminal to be gunned down like that.” 

Burial preparations 

To add insult to injury, the families are being charged mortuary and post-mortem fees at the Kiambu Level Five Hospital despite their loved ones’ deaths being attributed to police shootings.  

They are calling on the government to cover hospital bills and burial preparations, emphasising that the killings were uncalled for since live bullets were used by police to disperse protesters.  

The violence also left 18-year-old Kevin Muiruri, a student, with gunshot injuries to his left leg in Kabete. Muiruri was reportedly running away from the skirmishes when he was shot. 

He said the officers walked away after shooting him and was later rescued by well-wishers who took him to hospital. 

Independent probe 

Former Kiambu MP Jude Njomo, who visited the grieving families, echoed calls for independent investigations.

“How can the police who have killed the young people investigate themselves? We need international bodies to investigate and give the victims who were shot by police justice,” he stated.  

He also criticised police reports for allegedly understating the number of casualties, citing the official report of only one death in Kiambu contradicting the six lives confirmed by families. 

Parents also raised concerns about the alleged use of “goons” by the authorities in the Mt Kenya region.

They accused the police of targeting innocent young people who are not involved in looting or throwing stones and sparing the agitators. 

Yesterday, reports indicated that at least 11 people were killed and at least 29 injured during the Saba Saba Day anniversary protests.