Wamuzi News Ke
In a heart‑wrenching development that casts a chilling shadow over the June 25 protests, activist Hanifa Adan confirmed today that a 14‑year‑old girl has died in hospital after being critically injured in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Adan, who has been closely monitoring casualties from the nationwide demonstrations, revealed the girl was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital. “Unfortunately, a 14‑year‑old girl … injured during the protest succumbed in the ICU and passed on,” she wrote on social media this afternoon.
The fatality comes amid a fiercely escalating political and human rights crisis. Initial unrest erupted on June 25 as protests marking the anniversary of last summer’s deadly anti‑tax movement spiraled out of control. Demonstrators decried rising living costs, alleged corruption, and the police killing of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody; the unrest has claimed at least 20 lives and left over 500 injured nationwide.
Gunshot victims flood hospitals
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) received at least 16 gunshot victims following the protests, with authorities confirming seven required admission and nine were treated and discharged. One of the more grievously wounded, Mike Kamau—who sustained six gunshot injuries—was reported to be improving and is expected to be released by July 2.
Still, the new death of the young teenager signals a deepening human rights tragedy. The protests, which began in solidarity with those killed during the June 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations, have triggered renewed international outcry. Last week alone, global rights groups reported approximately 16 fatalities [Amnesty International, Reuters] and mounting civilian grievances.
Families overwhelmed, public anger surges
In an earlier case, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a mask vendor shot during the June 17 protests, died on June 30 after more than two weeks in intensive care. His parents now face financial pressure to claim his body from the hospital mortuary, appealing to Kenyans for assistance.
The death of a 14‑year‑old—among the youngest casualties—has struck a nerve across the nation. Social media platforms lit up with outrage as Kenyans called for swift investigations, accountability, and urgent reforms to police protocols.
Government under mounting pressure
Despite the mounting death toll, security forces remain heavily deployed in Nairobi and other cities. Last week, Kenya’s Communications Authority ordered broadcasters to halt live coverage of protests, triggering criticism from media watchdogs and civil rights advocates. Meanwhile, legal minds and activists are weighing constitutional challenges to curbs on peaceful assembly.
The youth‑driven movement shows no signs of quieting. Its focus has sharpened: President William Ruto’s administration faces sustained demands for accountability in Ojwang’s death, police reforms to curb excessive use of force, and justice for families like those of the 14‑year‑old and Kariuki.
This latest fatality is more than tragic — it underscores a nation at a dangerous crossroads. With more injuries and deaths likely before the uproar subsides, urgent action is critical. Will the government respond with genuine reform, or will Kenya descend further into unrest? The answer lies in the coming days.
