A wave of grief has swept through Kiambu County following the deaths of six people, including a 12-year-old girl, during the Saba Saba Day protests on Monday, June 2025. Families of the victims are now demanding justice, compensation, and a thorough, independent investigation into the use of live ammunition by police officers.
One of the most heart-wrenching cases is that of young Bridgit Njoki, a Standard Six pupil who lost her life in what her family describes as a senseless and avoidable tragedy. According to her mother, Lucy Ngugi, Bridgit was inside their home in Ndumberi village watching television when a stray bullet struck her.
“It was around 6:20 p.m. We were gathered at home when a bullet tore through our wall and hit my daughter in the head,” said Ngugi, her voice shaking with emotion. She added that their home is located more than two kilometers from the protest zone.
The family rushed Bridgit to St. Brigid’s Hospital, but doctors were unable to save her. She died while medics were attempting to resuscitate her.
The incident has sparked widespread anger and disbelief, especially given the distance of the home from the protest site. The community has joined the family in calling for accountability, insisting that the use of live bullets in residential areas was reckless and unjustified.
Five other families in the county are grappling with similar pain, having also lost loved ones during the same protests. While some were reportedly caught in the crossfire, others are said to have been direct victims of excessive police force.
“We want answers. We want those responsible held accountable,” said one bereaved father, whose 19-year-old son was shot near a shopping center. “These are not criminals. They were unarmed, some not even protesting.”
The killings have added to mounting pressure on law enforcement agencies and the national government to explain the circumstances under which the victims were killed. Human rights groups have echoed the call for justice and have urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch an impartial investigation.
As mourning continues across Kiambu, a somber mood hangs over families who say they will not rest until the truth is revealed and justice is served.
