Monica Mwandika is in despair, trying to come to terms with the death of her only son, who was shot in Mlolongo during the anti-government protests on Tuesday, July 16. Sammy Mwandikwa, a 27-year-old from Itungali village, Mwingi Central, had lived in Nairobi for less than a month after securing a job as a driver.
According to his family members, he had dropped his boss at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and was shot a few meters from his house. The frustrated family stated that their son was not part of the demonstrations and was rushing home to take care of his ailing wife, whom he had married three months ago.
“I loved him so much and they had gotten married less than three months ago. We continue mourning as a family. It was not our hope for him to die but to live long as we had hopes and aspirations. I know he was killed by the government so I want them to compensate so that we’ll continue remembering him,” Eunice Peter, Sammy’s mother in law, said.
Monica Mwandika recalls how her daughter-in-law called late on Tuesday, informing her that Sammy had not arrived home and his phone was off. After days of searching with the help of his employer, they found Sammy lifeless at the City Mortuary.
Monica appeals to the government to take action against the police officers responsible and to compensate all families who have lost loved ones during the protests.
“He was my only son and after finishing school he went to look for a job less than a month ago. Then this Tuesday night, I was called by his wife who informed me that he had not returned to the house. We kept calling his phone but it went unanswered,” Monica noted.
“On Thursday is when he was found at City Mortuary with a gunshot wound. He was my source of hope and livelihood as his father left me when Sammy was young. I aspired him to help me after getting a job. I plead with the government to help me pay school fees for other kids.”
On Tuesday, two people were shot dead and five motorcycles were torched during the demonstrations in Mlolongo. Witnesses reported that the duo succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by police officers. Members of the public rushed the victims to a private health facility along Biashara Street in Mlolongo town, but they were pronounced dead on arrival.
