There have been numerous reports of heavy gunfire in Githurai 45, Kiambu County, on the night of June 25, in connection to the Anti-Finance Bill Protests that saw Kenyan Parliament set on fire.
A source said the gunfire mostly happened between 6-8 PM, where the police opened fire indiscriminately, maiming, wounding, and killing people. “When I came from work, there were no Matatus going past Roysambu towards Githurai. We were a lot of people, and together we walked from Roysambu to Githurai 45, but upon reaching Githu, gunshots rent the air. Between 6 and 8 PM, there were a lot of gunshots.”
Allegedly, a mama mboga (grocer lady) by the name Mama Denno was fatally shot as she closed her shop for the night.
Another heartbreaking picture shows a young man who lay dead with at least 9 bullet wounds on his torso.
Police Report: 740 Rounds of Ammunition Used, Multiple Injuries Reported
A police report filed at the Githurai Mwiki Police Station at 21:15 hrs indicates that around 10 PM, the anti-finance bill protests turned chaotic. This forced police from the Githurai and Kasarani sub-counties to respond.
About 6,000 Kenyans were accused of being violent, lighting bonfires on the road, and refusing the police officers’ request to disperse. Police tried to use tear gas canisters to scatter the crowd but to no avail.
Following the altercation between police officers and the protesters, vehicles were destroyed, road infrastructure was damaged, and 20 police officers were injured.
“During the demonstration, 740 rounds of 7.62MM blank CMM, 7.62MM special, and 18 rounds of 5.56*45MM were spent. Additionally, 700 pieces of tear gas canisters and 258 pieces of 37/38 tear gas were used to disperse the violent rioters. The situation had been calmed and all three stations guarded. Case PUI, DCI Githurai dealing,” read part of the OB.
Official Police Report Details on Githurai Mass Shooting
KIAMBU COUNTY
GITHURAI SUB-COUNTY
GITHURAI MWIKI POLICE STATION
SUBJECT: INCIDENT REPORT
REFER: TO MY OB NO.46/25/06/2024 AT 2115 HRS
Today, an anti-financial bill demonstration was held within our area of jurisdiction. It started at around 10:00 hrs and was initially peaceful but later turned riotous. Officers from both Githurai Sub County and Kasarani responded. The group numbered about six thousand (6000). They became violent and lit a bonfire on the road. The police officers, led by the sub-county commander, tried to negotiate with them to peaceably disperse, but they refused and started pelting the officers with stones. A proclamation was read by the sub-county commander, but they did not disperse and instead turned very violent. Tear gas was fired to disperse them, but they overpowered the officers, who then withdrew. As they were withdrawing, they blocked the road with an electric pole, consequently cutting off Githurai Mwiki Land Cruiser GKA 601L from the convoy and completely burning it down and vandalizing its remains.
Damage to Police Vehicles:
- GKA 698G belonging to Mwihoko Police Station had its windshield and all side mirrors broken, together with its air cleaner.
- GKB 315S belonging to Githurai Kimbo Police Station had its windshield smashed, all its side windows broken, its number plate torn, and its body dented.
As the officers were retreating, the rioters followed them to Githurai Mwiki Police Station. They wanted to overrun the station but were overpowered and retreated.
Injured Officers:
- MR. PIUS MWATHI SP: Stone injuries on the right hand shoulder, ribs, and chest. Treated and discharged.
- CI NELSON OMOLO: Hit with a stone on the back of his head.
- CI VINCENT OMWERI: Injured on the left leg.
- IP VICTOR NGARE: Injured on the right upper hand and left ankle leg.
- IP GREGORY MUTINDA: Injured on stomach.
- PC(DRV) DAVID GATONYE: Injured on his head and right hand.
- PC MARTIN MURUNGI: Injured on the left cheek.
- PC JAMES MAINA: Injured on the left knee.
- PC KENNETH KINOTI: Injured on both legs.
- PC KENNEDY BISERA: Injured on both legs.
- PC W LUCY KENDI: Injured on the right hand.
- PC GEOFREY NJUGUNA: Injured on the head and stomach.
- PC ZACHARY NJUGUNA: Injured on the head.
- PC JAMES THAIRU: Injured on his head.
- S/NO.105586/2015051291 PC MOSES MAHENYE: Admitted at Modern Komarock Hospital in Utawala, diagnosed with a broken skull, currently admitted in HDU.
- CPL RAPHAEL WAITITU: Injured on his right hand.
- PC SAMWEL KANYI: Injured on his right ankle.
- PC W NELLY GADHAMBI: Injured on her right knee.
- PC EZEKIEL NEEPE: Injured on his left eye.
- PC(DRV) MAXWELL OWITI: Injured on his right hand.
All were treated at different hospitals and discharged in fair condition.
Ammunition and Equipment Used:
- 740 rounds of 7.62MM blank CMM and 7.62MM special.
- 18 rounds of 5.56 x 45MM.
- 700 pieces of tear gas canisters.
- 258 pieces of 37/38 tear gas.
The situation has been calmed, and all three stations are being guarded. Case PUI. DCI Githurai is dealing with the matter.
Kenyan mainstream media has remain tight lipped on coverage of the matter, But CNN Reporter Larry Madowo has urged Kenyans with pictures or video footage of the Githurai shooting to forward it to him for further investigation.
Stay tuned for more details.
By Vivian K.