The sorrowful funerals of two victims of the recent Saba Saba protests have brought Kenya face to face with the human toll of political unrest and police brutality. In Kiambu County, grief-stricken communities gathered to bid farewell to 12-year-old Bridget Njoki and 24-year-old Joseph Kagiri, whose lives were tragically cut short during the demonstrations.

A Child Caught in the Crossfire

In Githunguri, Kiambu, mourners filled a local church for the funeral mass of Bridget Njoki, a young girl whose life was stolen by a stray bullet while she rested at home beside her mother. Her small coffin symbolized an enormous loss, made all the more painful by emotional tributes from her classmates and her mother, Lucy Ngugi.

“Saba Saba will be forever etched in my heart,” Lucy said through tears. “I thought you would grow and become a beautiful woman.” Her voice, filled with sorrow and rage, reminded those gathered that Bridget’s death was not a random accident — “the bullet didn’t just come — it was fired by someone.”

Opposition leaders were present at the ceremony, but in a decision reflecting the family’s wishes or prevailing tensions, they were not allowed to address the mourners.

Another Family Devastated in Ndeiya

Meanwhile, in Ndeiya, the family of Joseph Kagiri buried their 24-year-old son, one of five people reportedly shot dead by police during protests in Ngong, Embulbul, and Kiserian.

His mother, Gladys Muthoni, was inconsolable. “He was just trying to earn a living,” said Hezron Junior, Joseph’s cousin, capturing the family’s anguish. The ceremony was subdued, devoid of any government representation — a silence that spoke volumes about the lack of official recognition or accountability.

His aunt, Monica Wanjiri, echoed the family’s pain: “We did not like what happened… we are hurting.”

In Nyeri, Another Family Awaits Closure

As the nation mourns, yet another family is struggling with preparations. In Nyeri, the funeral of Harrison Wachira — whose brutal treatment by police in Juja was captured on video — may be delayed due to financial constraints. The harrowing clip of his final moments has since gone viral, intensifying public calls for justice.

A Cry for Justice and Accountability

Both families have demanded answers, echoing a national outcry for reform and accountability. Their message is clear: there can be no closure without justice, no peace without acknowledgment of the truth.

As Kenya reflects on the Saba Saba protests and their aftermath, these funerals serve as painful reminders that behind every statistic lies a shattered family, a grieving community, and dreams forever unfulfilled.