Innocent Blood: Families Mourn Lives Lost During Saba Saba Protests

 Families Mourn Lives Lost During Saba Saba Protests

Grief, anger, and unanswered questions hang heavy in the air as families across Kenya mourn the tragic loss of their loved ones killed during this year’s Saba Saba protests. What was meant to be a day of peaceful remembrance turned bloody after police opened fire on demonstrators and bystanders alike, sparking national outrage and renewed demands for justice.

The protests, largely led by Kenya’s Gen Z youth, were fueled by economic frustration, corruption, and mounting disillusionment with leadership. But the brutal response by security forces shocked the nation, leaving behind a trail of pain and shattered families.

Among those mourning is the family of Elvis Musavi, a 25-year-old father who was gunned down in Kangemi as he walked to work. Shot in the back, head, and arm, Musavi’s only crime appears to be being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He leaves behind a six month old baby.

In Riruta, the home of Paul Makori has fallen into a painful silence. The 35-year-old father of three was shot just outside his house. His wife, overwhelmed with grief, believes her husband was targeted under “shoot-to-kill” orders, a chilling accusation echoed by many witnesses.

Tragedy struck even the youngest and most innocent. Bridgit Njoki Wainaina, a 12-year-old girl in Ndumberi, was shot in the head by a stray bullet while watching television. The bullet pierced their home’s wall, hitting her in the skull. She died instantly. Her family, still in shock, describes the moment as "beyond cruel."

A moment of quiet family time turned into an unthinkable nightmare a child’s life stolen without warning.

Dennis Mutuma Mwangi, 23, stepped outside his home in Kiambu to investigate a commotion. Moments later, he was shot from behind and died on the spot. His family insists he was not involved in the protests.

These are just a few of the many names now etched into a grim chapter of Kenya’s modern history. Reports indicate that dozens of people, most unarmed, were either shot in the back or head in places like Ngong, Githurai, Buruburu, and Kahawa West. Some were walking home, others simply watching from balconies or checking on their property.

Rights groups and community leaders are calling for independent investigations. Families are demanding accountability, compensation, and support for burial costs. Many are struggling to afford even the mortuary fees and are overwhelmed by the burden of laying their loved ones to rest under such harrowing circumstances.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission, along with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), has condemned the use of live bullets and called for immediate suspension of officers involved. But so far, the government has offered little more than promises of internal investigations raising skepticism about the likelihood of real justice.

What began as a historic day to honor the 1990 pro-democracy protests has now turned into a national tragedy. The phrase “innocent blood” is being spoken with anguish across the country, as citizens demand answers from those sworn to protect them.

As families prepare to bury their dead, the country must confront a difficult question: how many more lives must be lost before the state truly respects the right to life, protest, and justice?

For now, the candles continue to burn and the cries for justice grow louder. Kenya mourns not only the dead but the growing silence around who should be held responsible.

Reporting by: Kelvin Ng’ang’a
Thika, Kenya – July 9, 2025