Girl shot in Githurai grateful for a second chance at life

16-year-old Winfrey Wairimu is nursing a gunshot wound after she was shot in the belly during the anti-tax skirmishes in Githurai on the night of June 25. [Ivy Wanjiru, Standard]

While her friends are at school, 16-year-old Winfrey Wairimu is nursing a gunshot wound at home. She was shot in the belly during the anti-tax skirmishes in Githurai on the night of June 25.

Although still recuperating and under medication, Wairimu is grateful for a second chance at life. "It pains me to be in this state at this time of the year. I should be in school like everyone else, but I thank God I survived and hope that one day I'll rise again," she told The Standard from her home in Githurai.

The Form Three student at Karatina's Mathaithi Secondary School was discharged from Kenyatta National Hospital on July 10 and has been recovering at home since. "She is much better, and I have noted improvement in her condition. We pray she recovers fully," said her mother, Tabitha Mwaniki.

Wairimu was shot just after returning home for her mid-term break, caught in the midst of the anti-tax demonstrations. "She had just come from school and went to the kiosk to pick up food around 8 p.m. I heard her scream that something had hit her in the belly. When I rushed to her, she was bleeding," her mother narrated. "I feel so bad about it. We were almost closing shop because of the skirmishes, but it happened before we could."

Wairimu was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where she underwent surgery for the bullet wound on her belly. Residents of Githurai claimed that police officers arrived and started shooting randomly, also throwing teargas canisters. This was shortly after the brutal killings of anti-tax protesters who stormed the parliament building in Nairobi following the passing of the contentious finance bill. Gunshots were reportedly fired from around 5 p.m. that day until the next morning.

Despite the anti-tax protests, Mwaniki said it was just another normal working day for her and other traders in Githurai until the police started shooting, forcing them to take shelter in her shop.

Wairimu, the firstborn in her family, is now able to eat solid foods and walk short distances. As she nurses her wounds, she is hopeful that things will soon return to normal for her. "I feel stronger. I am confident I will get back to my normal life," she said.

Her family is overjoyed to have Wairimu back home safe. "I am grateful my daughter is now recuperating, and I pray for her quick recovery," said Tabitha.