Another protester shot during Saba Saba demos succumbs to injuries

Rahab Wambui, whose 19-year-old son Antony Kariuki was shot dead by police in Naivasha, breaks down after learning of his death while undergoing treatment. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

A third victim of police brutality related to the Saba Saba protests has died from gunshot wounds at a Naivasha hospital.

James Nayo, 37, died while undergoing treatment at Naivasha Sub-County Hospital, where he had been taken during the protests on Monday.

All three victims of the police shooting suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach in Naivasha, according to a report from the hospital.

Earlier, 19-year-old Antony Kariuki and 23-year-old Peter Njenga also died in the same facility while receiving treatment for their injuries.

This latest death occurred shortly after President William Ruto instructed police to shoot looters in the legs before bringing them to court in an effort to address the violent demonstrations.

Dr. Bernard Warui, the Medical Superintendent at Naivasha Hospital, confirmed the death, stating that the victim had a bullet lodged in his stomach.

He noted that a total of twenty people were admitted to the facility on Monday, with eight of them suffering from gunshot wounds.

"We have now lost three people to gunshot wounds, while the others are in stable condition and continuing to receive treatment," he said.

Warui also mentioned that among the twenty patients brought in during the height of the protests were four police officers, who were treated and discharged.

Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo rejected claims that hired goons were transported to the town in government vehicles to incite chaos.

Odongo described the allegations made by Naivasha MP Jane Kihara as troubling and bordering on incitement, especially as security officers were actively pursuing those involved in the violence.

The MP alleged that NYS buses transported dozens of youths to various neighbourhoods in Naivasha with instructions to loot and burn specific businesses.

In response, the administrator stated that the government's priority is to protect all businesses in the lakeside town and characterized the MP's claims as unfounded and alarming.

He urged her to provide the police with evidence rather than spreading rumors.

Odongo highlighted that at the height of the violence, many small-scale traders lost property worth millions, and others faced significant losses due to the closure of their businesses.

“Workers in flower farms, hotels, and even KenGen could not report to work as expected, leading to major losses for the country and these companies. This situation cannot be allowed to continue,” he stated.