Granny interrupts Kalonzo address, demands to know whereabouts of grandson arrested in Githurai

A frustrated grandmother interrupted Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s press briefing on Friday, seeking information about the whereabouts of her grandson.

Speaking outside the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kalonzo was giving a brief of the current political landscape when Zahara Wanjiru began shouting and demanding that President William Ruto gives back her grandson, Ishmael Kamau.

She intimated that Kamau was arrested by police during the Tuesday’s anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests in Githurai.

“Stop all these stories, just a minute, please I’m begging. What are we supposed to do? Nimetafuta kila mahali, hawa waliniambia ningoje mpaka kesho. I want just to know, where is my grandson?” She interjected.

“How many others are crying like that? Tunasema poleni sana kwa wote ambao wameathirika tangu Tuesday. Naishi karibu na Rongai and I could hear gunshots up to 8pm,” Kalonzo responded. 

Wanjiru was briefly escorted from the premises before returning and demanding for the whereabouts of her grandson.

“Sitanyamaza, where is my grandson? Mmeua watoto sababu gani?” She ranted.

“I don’t even know how I can continue because she expresses emotions. It is possible for people who have negative energy to think we may have asked huyo cucu akuje alie hapa. In fact I was frightened myself, I thought she was going to kick me out,” Kalonzo remarked.

“That is reflective of the anguish Kenyans are going through.For me what has happened to Kenya is a real reawakening. The spirit of Kenyans saying there shall be open democracy. God save Kenya.”

After Kalonzo concluded his remarks, the grandmother was granted an opportunity to give her statement to the press.

“Isn’t Ruto a child? I want my grandson. If not that, I will come to State House. I don’t know where he is ever since the Githurai incident. He is called Ishmael Kamau, 21 years. Ruto give me my child back or give me yours. You want another ten years to harm our children, give me my grandson,” she said. “Shoot me 20 times but I want my grandson.”

On Tuesday night, videos were shared of gunshots and tear gas canisters which filled the air in Githurai, with reports alleging that officers used live bullets on the public.

It is still unclear, how many lives were lost as a result of the incident that some have termed a massacre.