Tears as 12-year-old Bridget Njoki is laid to rest

Emotions ran high as the body of Bridget Njoki was wheeled into Ndumberi Catholic church for mass. [George Njunge, Standard]

Emotions ran high in Kirigu-ini village, Ndumberi, Kiambu County during the burial of Bridget Njoki, a 12-year-old girl who died after a stray bullet fired by police during the Saba Saba demonstrations struck her as she watched TV in her family’s home.

The tense mood was evident from the early morning hours as hundreds of mourners gathered at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Ndumberi for the funeral service.

Along the Kiambu–Ndumberi–Limuru road, onlookers lined up to catch a glimpse of the sombre procession.

Members of the Pontifical Missionary Children (PMC) stood on both sides of the road, singing solemn Catholic hymns while holding flags and rosaries as the hearse made its way from the morgue to the church.

Inside the church, mourners packed every inch of space, giving the protocol and security teams a hard time controlling the swelling crowd. Even media crews had to jostle for space. Additional tents with audio-visual equipment were set up outside to allow the overflowing congregation to follow the service.

The hearse carrying Njoki’s body was escorted by a brass band from her school and church, its motorcade temporarily blocking the Ndumberi road.

Tears flowed freely as the white casket was carried inside, with the church choir singing solemnly. PMC children who had served alongside Njoki were so overwhelmed that some fainted and had to be wheeled out as cries echoed through the church.

Emotions ran high as the body of Bridget Njoki was wheeled into Ndumberi Catholic church for mass. [George Njunge, Standard]

A family spokesman described Bridgit as a peaceful, obedient and multi-talented girl who loved singing, playing golf and reading. Her white casket was adorned with a flower bouquet and trophies she had won in various golf competitions. Her immediate family sat at the front, overwhelmed by grief, as close friends and relatives tried to comfort them.

The church fell into pin-drop silence when children from Njoki’s school and church read their emotional tributes. The mood turned even heavier when Bridgit’s mother, Lucy Kabiri, stood to read her final farewell.

“Saba Saba will forever be etched in my mind. I lost part of myself. I am shattered beyond words. You will remain 12 forever. The doctor you dreamed of becoming will never be a reality because that bullet shattered our dreams,” she said. She added, “Our family chain is broken. We thought our house was safe, but the bullet still found you.”

Politicians, including former CS Dr Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka and Jeremiah Kioni, attended the funeral but were not allowed to address mourners.