Victims of anti-gov't protest brutality seek justice, support

Many of those injured are still hospitalised; some are recovering at home, while others bear the lasting scars of the violent demonstrations. 

Citizen TV spoke to some of the victims whose lives were irreversibly changed by the protests that resulted in at least 60 deaths and 26 disappearances.

When we meet Esther Wangui at her home in Ruiru, Kiambu County, she is scrolling through her phone, looking at pictures of her nephew, Brian Mwangi, who has been admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital for the past four months. 

Brian, an orphan, was shot during the August 8th protests in Karatina, Nyeri County, and has been bedridden since, with half of his body paralyzed due to a bullet lodged near his spinal cord.

"Kijana bado hajawai kutembea, kijana hajawai kutolewa risasi bado kijana hageuki kwa sababu ashakuwa paralysed, huyo kijana ako na maumivu mingi sana kwa sababu hata wakati implants zilipatikana hawezi wekwa kwa sababu alipata bed sores," says Wangui, expressing her anguish over her nephew's condition.

Wangui explains that doctors are currently treating Brian's bedsores, which prevent him from undergoing necessary surgery. 

The family is also burdened by a growing hospital bill, currently at 600,000 shillings, which they cannot afford.

"Lazima kila asubuhi ujitayarishe upande gari, everyday kabla sijanunua matunda natumia 350 per day na ukiangalia huyu kijana hata saa hii anajiumisha kitu, kitambo mkono yake haingefanya kitu kwa hivyo lazima mtu aendee kila siku, hana nguvu ya kujipata chakula, kijana wa miaka 29 sasa ona maisha yake, maisha yake imekuwa sasa nikugeuzwa na ni kwa sababu ya hii maandamano na alipigwa risasi akiwa kazi," Wangui continues, highlighting the daily struggles and expenses the family faces.

The family is calling on the government to take responsibility for ensuring Brian receives the treatment he needs, as his injuries resulted from police actions during the protests.

"Hakuna simu tushapokea, hakuna usaidizi yeyote at least hata wasema hao watoto ni wa kijiji chetu kuna MCA hakuna kitu tushaskia kuhusu hawa. Ningeomba kama kuna wasamaria wema wenye wanaweza saidia kwa sababu hii ni kitu imetupata kama familia, huyu ni mtoto hana mama wala baba," Wangui pleads.

In Botori village, Kisii County, Daniel Mageka lies on his sofa watching a church service on TV. His movement is limited due to injuries sustained during the protests in Kisii on June 25th, when he was hit by a tear gas canister, resulting in a knee fracture and burns.

"Kitu ilitufanya tukaenda maandamano ni kuwa uchumi ilikuwa juu na hii bill President alikuwa anataka kupitisha ndio ilifanya watu wakaskia uchungu ikabidi watu waende street. Wakati niliumia nilienda hospitali na nimekuwa natumia pesa yangu kujitibu," says Mageka, explaining the reasons behind his participation in the protests.

Mageka was among more than 30 people admitted to Kisii Referral Hospital with injuries. His life took a drastic turn for the worse as he now requires physiotherapy to regain full movement, which he cannot afford.

"Madktari waliniambia nahitaji kuenda hiyo mazoezi huko hospitali labda hizo pesa dio zinafika zinanipea changamoto kupata, crutches sikuwa na uwezo wa kununua crutches na mimi nimekuwa natumia mti kutembea. Wakati watu wanaenda Krismasi sisi hatuna kwa sababu ya maandamano," Mageka laments.

Despite feeling forgotten by the government, Mageka does not regret participating in the protests, as the Finance Bill 2024 was withdrawn, and the government is now considering Kenyans' views on important matters.

Mageka’s mother, Josephine Moraa, is grateful her son came home alive, unlike the 26 people documented by the KNCHR who remain missing.

"Tangu aumie nimeona shida kwa sababu yeye alikuwa anashughulika analeta kitu tunakula saa hii mambo imekuwa ngumu kwa sababu, yeye hatoki kwenda kutafuta. Hata ako na mtoto mdogo na saa hii haendi shule. Hii mambo ya Gen Z ilitusadia kwa sababu vitu ilirudi chini kidogo," Moraa says, reflecting on the financial struggles following her son's injuries.

For Mwangi and Mageka, the hope is to receive proper treatment, recover, and resume their normal lives. 

Their plea to the government is to ensure justice is served and for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to complete investigations into cases of police excesses during the protests.