Saba Saba's Unfolding Tragedy: When the State Fails Its Youth in Kenya

In this somber episode, we delve into the tragic events unfolding in Nanyuki, Kenya, which serve as a stark and painful testament to the failures of leadership and the profound human cost when justice falters. We will explore the harrowing story of Julia Njoki, a 24-year-old woman whose life was cut short after her arrest during the Saba Saba day demonstrations. Julia, who was reportedly just heading home, found herself caught in the chaos and was arrested alongside protesters. Charged in court, she was granted a cash bail of 50,000 shillings, an amount she tragically could not raise. Remanded at prison, Julia collapsed a day later and was rushed to hospital with severe injuries, ultimately not surviving. Preliminary examination revealed blunt force injuries, and her family, along with residents, are demanding answers and accountability, alleging severe police brutality.

Julia's death is not an isolated incident but a chilling part of a larger pattern, as she becomes the third youth to die from violent clashes in Nanyuki. We also shine a light on the equally devastating case of Thomas Gashara, a form three student from Bahati High School, who was allegedly shot dead by police on the same day, with video evidence showing police firing live rounds at protesters. These deeply disturbing events—the deaths in custody, the alleged police brutality, and the tragic inability to secure freedom due to financial constraints—underscore a critical question: how has the Kenyan leadership failed to protect its own citizens, particularly its youth, by not ensuring their safety, upholding due process, or providing accessible justice? The fury ignited by these two deaths has led residents to vow to occupy the streets until justice is served, a desperate cry for accountability in the face of profound loss and systemic failure.