The families of victims shot and killed by police during Tuesday’s demonstrations in Ishiara, Embu County are demanding justice. Relatives say the void left by their loved ones will be felt forever and can never be filled.
In Karuri village, Ishiara area of Mbeere North, family members and friends have gathered to mourn Morris Mugo Njoka, one of the victims, and to begin burial preparations. The pain of losing their son has left his parents and brother devastated, struggling to speak during press interviews without breaking down.
His father, Nebart Njoka, said his son did not deserve to die from a gunshot. He expressed deep anguish, saying the pain was so overwhelming. He maintained that Morris was unarmed and posed no threat to any police officer that would justify the use of lethal force.
Njoka called for justice, suggesting that the officer who shot his son may have had personal motives, as there was no other explanation given that his son was not a threat.
The mother, Margret Igoki Njoka, also maintained that her son did not deserve to be killed in such a manner as he was unarmed. She called for justice but was overcome by emotion and unable to continue speaking, her grief clearly visible.
The victim’s brother described Morris as a calm man who worked as a plumber to earn a living. He said his brother died about 150 metres from the gate of Ishiara Level 4 Hospital after being shot in the neck.
He emphasised that the void left by his brother can never be filled. Breaking down, he recalled how he used to encourage him to get married. Tearfully, he expressed that he wished he had died instead, noting that he has children while his brother had none.
Approximately three kilometres away, Nancy Karimi Gongoti is mourning her 21-year-old son, Patrick Kariuki. Patrick was shot in the mouth and, according to the family, lost three teeth.
Mourning her son, Karimi said he had been helping her financially to put food on the table and cope with harsh economic times. She runs a charcoal business, while her son, who was unemployed, survived on casual jobs.
Demanding justice, she described her son as obedient and humble. Shortly before his death, he had brought her milk from Ishiara Market and prepared tea that they shared as a family—little did she know it would be their last meal together.
Another victim, Amos Nyaga, narrowly survived after a bullet fired by police grazed his chest. He sustained chest injuries and would have died if the bullet had struck more directly.
Local leaders have also called for justice for the victims’ families, demanding the arrest of the officers suspected of firing the shots, as well as the immediate transfer of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Ishiara Police Station.
