Family mourns kin killed by stray bullet during June 25 protests

Bwibo, a father of two, was reportedly heading home when he was struck by a stray bullet in the stomach during the June 25th anniversary protests.

He was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death.

Michael Bwibo broke down mid-interview—the pain too raw, the loss too heavy. A young man full of promise, gunned down in his prime.

A precious life silenced by a single bullet. Timothy Bwibo will never get to watch his two children grow, guide them through life, or see them chase their dreams. He was simply at work when chaos erupted in Eldoret City.

“Saa tisa aliniambia huku imekuwa mbaya, me nakuja nyumbani. Nikamwambia sawa, wewe kuja nyumbani hata sisi tuko nyumbani,” said Phyllis Chemtai, Bwibo's wife.

Unfortunately, by the time he alighted at the home bus stop, police were still engaged in running battles with protesters. Timothy was caught in the crossfire and never made it home. The next phone call shattered Chemtai’s world.

“Me nilikuwa nadhani ni yeye ananipigia simu kumbe ni daktari alikuwa anapiga simu. Ananiambia, wewe ni mke wa Tim? Nikasema yes. Akaniambia, ‘Mama mimi si Tim, mimi ni daktari. Tim ameshootiwa,’” she added.

Bwibo was admitted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in critical condition, fighting for his life.

“Mara ya mwisho aliniambia, mama usichoke, mama usichoke. Nikamuuliza, mimi sijachoka, kuna shida wapi? Hiyo wakati alikuwa anatoa choo kwa mdomo. So ilikuwa naosha, nampanguza, naosha,” recalled Evelyn Auma, Bwibo’s mother.

“Kijana wangu alikuwa mtu wa nguvu, nguvu sana kwa kazi ya mikono ambayo nilimfundisha. Waliohusika, hata bila kumjua, najua Mungu yuko,” said Michael Bwibo, his father.

About 60 kilometres away, in Webuye Town, another family was saying their final goodbye. Kenneth Ouma, a quiet, disciplined young man, had sought refuge in a gym amid the chaos unfolding in Karatina Town.

But even there, he wasn’t safe. Two stray bullets struck him, abruptly ending not just his workout but a life filled with potential.

“Jamani, sisi tunalia justice iweze kupatikana. Ni jambo la uchungu sana. Ninapoteza hivi, ninauliza nyumbani kutakalika aje kama tunapoteza watoto namna hii? Mimi naelekea 60 ningelala, huyu mtoto akiendelee,” said Patrick Wafula, Ouma’s father.

“We are available, and we are committing a strong legal team to look for justice for Kenneth Ouma,” said Eugene Wamalwa, party leader of DAP-K.

Meanwhile, in Nairobi, another grieving family is appealing for help. Victor Otieno, a student at Thika Technical Training Institute, was shot during protests in Juja. His family is now seeking financial support to transfer his body to Bungoma County for burial—a final journey home for a young life lost too soon.

“Hatuna uwezo wa kumpeleka nyumbani. Tunaomba msaada wa kuweza kumzika nyumbani kwake Bungoma,” said Patrick Oduor, Otieno’s father.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 19 people were killed during the June 25th anniversary protests held across the country.