A wave of anger and sorrow swept through Kiambu town on Tuesday, July 8, as hundreds of residents staged protests following the tragic death of a 12-year-old girl. The young girl was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during the Saba Saba Day demonstrations.
Large crowds of protesters flooded the streets, demanding justice for the grieving family and accountability from law enforcement. According to eyewitnesses, the girl was not part of the protests but was inside her home when the fatal incident occurred.
Her death has triggered widespread outrage, especially from local residents who feel the use of force during the protests was excessive.
By mid-afternoon on Tuesday, police officers had been deployed in large numbers in an effort to contain the situation. Clashes were reported along key roads leading into Kiambu town, with the Kiambu-Limuru Road identified as a major flashpoint for confrontations between protesters and police.
Though there were no major acts of looting or destruction of property, demonstrators blocked roads and lit bonfires across several parts of Kiambu, disrupting movement and causing panic. The girl’s mother gave a heart-wrenching account of what happened inside their home.
“It was around 6:20 in the evening. We were both at home when we heard a loud bang. I looked over and saw blood on my daughter’s hands. At first, I thought she had cut herself, but then she collapsed. That’s when I saw a hole in her head,” the mother recalled, fighting back tears.
The family rushed the young girl to St. Bridget’s Hospital, hoping she could be saved. Doctors tried to revive her and prepare her for emergency surgery, but tragically, they found that her heart had already stopped. After several desperate attempts to resuscitate her, the doctors were forced to declare her dead.
Earlier in the day, police had set up roadblocks to prevent people from entering Kiambu town, possibly in anticipation of unrest. Despite these efforts, residents still came out in large numbers later in the day to voice their anger and demand justice for the young victim and other casualties reported on Monday.
The protests stretched along a wide section of Kiambu Road, from Thindigua all the way into the heart of Kiambu town. Witnesses reported seeing crowds of civilians marching, some carrying placards and shouting slogans.
There were also reports that police officers went around forcing shopkeepers and business owners to shut down their premises, further fueling tensions in the already volatile area.
Kiambu was among the regions most affected by the Saba Saba Day protests, which erupted on Monday. The 12-year-old girl is believed to be one of several victims who lost their lives in the violent confrontations between protesters and police officers.
The community is now calling for thorough investigations and justice for the young girl whose life was cut short in such a heartbreaking way. Residents have also urged the government to take responsibility and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.
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