Fuel protests: Families demand justice as autopsies confirm 3 protest victims were shot dead

Families of three victims of last week’s fuel price protests in Molo are demanding justice after autopsies conducted on their bodies revealed that they died from excessive bleeding caused by gunshot wounds.

The families say they have lost breadwinners and want police officers held accountable.

In Busia County, autopsies on victims killed during demonstrations over the arrest of a youth leader also confirmed that the deaths were linked to gunshot injuries. 

At the Molo Hospital mortuary, families of James Mwangi, aged 32, Patrick Githinji, aged 28, and Salim Maluni, aged 54, gathered awaiting the results of the autopsies of their loved ones.

The pathologist’s report confirmed that all three died from gunshot injuries.

"Kuna mwili ulikuwa na risasi kutoka mgongoni ikatoka kifuani, mwingine ulikuwa na majeraha mawili ya risasi, na mwingine risasi mguuni,” Pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu said.

The killings have left the families devastated. Patrick Githinji’s family says their kin was the breadwinner and has left behind a young family. Patrick sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest.

"Alipigwa risasi akitoka kupeleka watoto shule, akiwaendea ndio alipigwa risasi. Ile iliyomuua ni ya kifua. Alipigwa hadi mguu. Ameacha watoto wachanga sana..." Lucy Githinji, Patrick’s aunt said.

Relatives of Salim Maluni also demanded justice, accusing police of using excessive force.

"Alikuwa breadwinner. Sina mbele wala nyuma. Serikali iache kuua watoto wa watu, imeniondolea mzee,” said Salim’s relative, Mildred Mbunya.

In Busia, autopsies on three young men killed during clashes with police revealed that they too died from gunshot wounds.

"Tulifanikiwa kutoa risasi kutoka begani. Ripoti ya uchunguzi imekabidhiwa IPOA na risasi hiyo itafanyiwa uchunguzi wa ballistic,” stated Dickson Muchana.

Fredrick Odhiambo, aged 37, Allan Odhiambo, aged 26, and Shadrack Onyango, aged 18, were shot on May 20 and 21 while protesting the detention of their youth leader.

"Fredrick alikuwa nguzo ya familia. Ameacha pengo kubwa. Alikuwa hana silaha na hakuwa tishio kwa polisi,” George Jaoko, family spokesperson noted.

Vocal Africa activist Raskin Odhiambo added, “Ni aibu kwamba katika Kenya ya sasa polisi wanaua raia wasio na hatia. IPOA inapaswa kuchunguza maafisa waliowaua."