Tears flowed in Kiambu County as two victims of the Saba Saba protests were laid to rest, each funeral marked by immense sorrow and calls for justice. The loss of 12-year-old Bridget Njoki and 24-year-old Joseph Kagiri has sparked renewed scrutiny of police brutality and the cost of political unrest in Kenya.
What happened to Bridget Njoki during the protests?
Bridget Njoki was resting beside her mother when a bullet tore through their home’s wall, striking and killing her instantly. Her funeral in Githunguri was filled with grief, with mourners struggling to process the tragedy of such a young life taken so abruptly.
“The bullet didn’t just come, it was fired by someone,” said her mother, Lucy Ngugi, during an emotional tribute. “Saba Saba will be forever etched in my heart… I’m shattered beyond words… I thought you would grow and become a beautiful woman.” Fellow pupils shared final messages that moved many to tears, while opposition leaders attended the funeral but were not permitted to speak during the service.
Who was Joseph Kagiri, and what led to his death?
In Ndeiya, the community mourned the death of 24-year-old Joseph Kagiri, who was among five people fatally shot by police in Ngong, Embulbul, and Kiserian during the protests. He had left home to earn a living and never returned. His cousin, Hezron Junior, said, “We feel so bad… he was just trying to earn a living.” His aunt, Monica Wanjiri, echoed the pain: “We did not like what happened… we are hurting.”
Despite the grief, the burial was noticeably quiet; no government officials showed up, not even a local chief. For many, this silence speaks louder than words.
What’s happening with other protest victims?
The pain continues elsewhere. In Nyeri, the family of Harrison Wachira, seen in a viral video being dragged by police after being shot, is struggling to raise funds for his funeral, scheduled for Friday. With rising financial and emotional burdens, families like his are left seeking justice in silence.
As Bridget and Joseph are laid to rest, their families and communities insist their deaths must not be forgotten. “There can be no closure without accountability, and no peace without justice,” one relative stated, capturing the growing demand for answers in the face of state violence.
By Yockshard Enyendi
