Westlands Member of Parliament, Tim Wanyonyi, has emphasized the need to honour individuals who lost their lives during recent protests.
He believes the best way to honour their courage is to continue the fight for justice peacefully.
Wanyonyi expressed his sadness over the loss of 39 young people and the injury of 361 others during the protests.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of 39 young Gen Z lives & the injury of 361 during recent protests. My heartfelt condolences to their families. We must honor their courage & continue to fight for justice peacefully,” he posted on his X account.
Last week, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) provided an update on its investigation into the deaths resulting from the protests that have rocked the country.
IPOA revealed that they have been monitoring police conduct during public order management exercises and are currently investigating 39 deaths, 150 serious injuries, and seven abductions across the country.
Following the death of Rex Kanyike Masai, the authority stated that they had conducted investigations and were waiting for expert reports on his case. Regarding the death of Evans Kiratu, the authority launched investigations into his death as he was among the youth demonstrating within Nairobi’s Central Business District on June 20, 2024. IPOA is currently obtaining expert reports on his death and more witness accounts.
The authority is also investigating the fatal shootings at the parliament and has attended post-mortems for six protesters, confirming that 11 people died following the shootings.
IPOA on Githurai
Regarding the Githurai shooting, IPOA confirmed that it had commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Andrew Mwawasi and 5-year-old Gianna Merkel Obonyo, who was discovered with a bullet lodged in his chest and taken to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he has since been treated and discharged.
IPOA is also following up on the death of 12-year-old Master Kennedy Onyango on June 27, 2024, at Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County. The authority confirmed they had documented the destruction of both private and public property during the protests to assess police policing standards.
This included the National Assembly, Supreme Court building, City Hall, Uganda House, Safaricom shop on Kenyatta Avenue, police premises and vehicles, Embu and Machakos county assemblies, private businesses, and property.
Wanyonyi’s call for peaceful protests serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and the importance of honoring those who have suffered in the process.