Mother in mourning as newborn dies after teargas canister lobbed at Kibera house

Women who were on Thursday captured on camera walking towards policemen their arms raised in surrender told Citizen TV the effects of teargas lobbed into their homes were too much to bear, forcing them to call a truce between the police and demonstrators. 

Joyce Kemunto is a woman in agony, her newborn is no more and the body is lying at City Mortuary.

“Precious hata nilikuwa hata sijampiga picha,” she says as tears rolls down her cheeks.

Before the protests on Thursday, Precious was full of life, but things took a turn when police lobbed teargas in the air.

“Vile ilirushwa huko kwa mabati ikaanguka ndani ya nyumba watoto wakaanza kulia. Nikampanguza na maji, nikaona ako poa lakini alikuwa bado analialia,” Kemunto explained.

Joyce was hopeful that her first aid efforts managed the effects of the teargas but her baby's health deteriorated in the evening.

“Mtoto ikafika usiku akaanza kutoa mapofu kwa mapua, ndio ameaga hivyo.”

On Friday, Mathare area remained peaceful following a far cry from Thursday’s scenes that forced women to come out of their homes, their arms raised in surrender after the effects of teargas forced them out.

“Mimi nilikuwa nimelala hapa na mtoto ndio moshi ikajaa. Niliona kama inaniuma niko na mtoto ana wiki moja nikaona heri niuawawe juu ya watoto,” Rose Akinyi explained.

Rose’s granddaughter is one of many caught up in a political duel they know nothing about. Teargas intended to quell protestors hitting the wrong target.

“Mimi nilikuwa kwa nyumba na watoto, teargas ikarushwa ikaingia. Mwanamme aliyekuwa hapa akajaribu kupitia nje kuishika lakini ikateleza, ikalipuka ndio ikaumiza motto,” Priscillah Aoko another resident said.

Soot is seen on the floor and on a partially burnt basin, and bandaged wounds of the children who sought safety in this home are a painful reminder that the ongoing political chest-thumping will only end in tears if not dealt with decisively.

For many of the residents in Mathare, the protests are a way to express themselves but now, the effects on their children have made them call on those involved, to re-think their strategy.

“Waandamane kwa amani... Juu sisi tuko kwa nyumba ndio tunaumia,” Priscillah Aoko said.