Survivors: We've no regrets over protests

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa at Kakamega General Hospital when he visited the victims of anti-Finance Bill protests who were allegedly shot by police on June 25, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Inside Ward Four at Kakamega General Hospital two university students, Louis Mulefu (22) and Joseph Mwanza (19), are recuperating after being hit by stray bullets during Tuesday’s anti-Finance Bill protests.

Though not part of the demonstrations, both students expressed no regret, insisting that their peers were advocating for their welfare, particularly in terms of employment opportunities post-education.

They are among those injured in the protests that claimed the lives of Caroline Ashiramba and Reagan Ouko.

“I do not regret what happened. I was not part of the demonstrations, but I am nursing injuries brought by my age-mates advocating for a good life. There’s no point of going to school if you still face hurdles in getting a job,” said Mwanza, who is waiting to join Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) this September after completing his secondary education.

Mwanza, from Mwitoti area, Mumias East Constituency, sells ice cream in Kakamega town to finance his education. The 19-year-old, who scored a B Plain at Kaimosi Boys School, is planning to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree, though his dream was almost dashed by the Gen-Z protests.

On the fateful day, Mwanza recounts, tensions escalated, and clashes broke out between demonstrators and law enforcers. Tear gas filled the air, and the crackle of gunfire shattered the once-serene atmosphere.

“I closed my ice cream container and started running for my dear life. While crossing the road, I felt a huge thud and thought my hand had broken,” Mwanza recalled. “When the chaos erupted, police opened fire to disperse the crowd. In the ensuing melee, I was hit by bullets in the hand and thigh, I lost balance, fell down and lay helpless for almost an hour before a good Samaritan took me to the hospital.”

Mwanza, who is recuperating and expecting to be discharged soon, says demonstrations by youths are justified.

“They fought not just for their survival but for ideals they believed in - a future where justice and equality prevail. I am mentally struggling to accept it, but because the youths were fighting for Kenyans’ rights, I am content and accept to live with the scars for the rest of my life,” said Mwanza.

He urges the government and well-wishers to support him on his career journey, now that his mother is left with the task of feeding and educating him.

Next to him is Mulefu, a fourth-year student at Moi University and a resident of Shiveye village in Ikolomani. Mulefu says he had just gone for a lunch break at Muliro Gardens around 2pm, where he usually goes daily when he was shot by anti-riot police officers.

“I work at an Mpesa shop a few minutes from where I go for lunch. On that day, I had just opened my business as usual and everything was fine until lunchtime. I went to my usual place to have lunch, but I didn’t find food because the business was closing down, so I bought a drink,” said Mulefu.

“I had just stepped outside the gate of Muliro Gardens when I heard the commotion between youths and police officers. I didn’t know the protests had turned violent. In a moment, the peaceful atmosphere turned chaotic, and immediately I felt a sharp pain in my back. I lost consciousness.” He continued, “The next thing I heard was a voice telling me I was bleeding excessively and had been shot.”

Mulefu was rushed to the nearest facility, but his money was stolen by an unknown person. “I had almost Sh50,000 in Mpesa money and credit of around Sh5,000, but it was all stolen. I regret losing the money but not the injury, as the youth were fighting for a just cause,” he said.

Losing the business money was not a big deal, he said, but the thought of losing his life at a young age, just as he was about to complete his degree in Information Science, was deeply worrying.

Mulefu’s father, Protus Makatiani, said he was home on the day of the protest and kept communicating with his son to ensure his safety. However, after a few hours, Mulefu’s phone went unanswered.

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who visited the victims at the hospital, waived the hospital bills for the two students and condemned police brutality.