Mombasa family demands justice as kin succumbs to gunshot wounds after anti-tax protests

A family in Mombasa is demanding justice following the death of their kin, Joash Ombati, who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during a protest last Tuesday.

Human rights organisations are calling for an immediate investigation, accusing authorities of extrajudicial killings.

Joash's father, Jackson Ombati, expressed his grief and frustration following the family's sudden loss.

"My son went missing, I tried looking for him since he did not come back home on Wednesday. Then on Friday, I received reports he was at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. When I arrived, I found out he had been shot. He was my firstborn, 36 years old, and has left behind two children. I plead with the government to help us and ensure justice is served," he said.

"He came to town looking for work. Later, I heard he was shot in town. Our country home is in Kisii, but we live in Likoni, Mtongwe in Mombasa. On Friday, I went to the central police station early in the morning, but we did not find him among those arrested. I called a friend who gave me the number of a witness who saw what transpired. When I arrived at the emergency room, they told me to go to the morgue, where I found out it was true he had died. I couldn't look at his body, but I was informed he was shot in the thighs."

James Omingo, a relative, also voiced his sorrow and called for justice.

"It is very sad to lose someone like this, leaving behind young children. Honestly, it hurts a lot. He did not expect this. It is known throughout the country and the world that these young men were fighting for their rights. It may be that our lives have passed, but these young people are trying to build theirs. His wife has been left with children and doesn't know how she will care for them," Omingo said.

Anti-riot police stand guard in Mombasa County, amid 'Occupy Parliament' protests against the Finance Bill, on June 19, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

"Some people think the young men were just playing, but they were crying for their rights. I ask the president to look into this. Is it right for such young children to die like this? Joash will be buried in Kisii. I ask the area Member of Parliament to help us. If justice is not done for these young men, including Joash, I don't know what we will do."

Human rights organisations have documented three deaths during the protests in Mombasa, two from gunshot wounds and one from teargas inhalation with several others injured and still in the hospital.

"We extend our condolences to Joash's family. There is still one unidentified body at Coast General. As human rights lobby groups, we have documented three cases in the Mombasa protests where people have died," Haki Africa Rapid Response Officer Mathias Shipeta said.

"We are asking for accountability. After the Finance Bill was withdrawn, there must be accountability for those killed and injured. We are calling upon IPOA and all human rights groups to file a case against any officer involved in the killings during the protests. It is sad that young people who came out peacefully to protest, exercising their constitutional right, were killed."

Muhuri's Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma confirmed the deaths of the three and announced plans for legal action.

"We will conduct autopsies on Monday. But I want to assure you that we will use all legal means. We want the country to be governed properly through legal means," he said.

The family and human rights groups insist that Joash and others were peacefully protesting when they were shot by the police.