Shot from behind: Family mourns fisherman killed in Saba Saba protests
A postmortem conducted at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary on Wednesday confirmed that he was shot from behind, with the bullet exiting through the abdomen after damaging internal organs.
The family of James Nayo, a 37-year-old fisherman killed during the Saba Saba protests in Naivasha, has described their loss as painful and unbearable, saying his death has left their household in deep sorrow.
They are calling for justice and support as they struggle to come to terms with the killing.
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Nayo, who was shot on July 7, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.
A postmortem conducted at the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary on Wednesday confirmed that he was shot from behind, with the bullet exiting through the abdomen after damaging internal organs.
“There was a bullet in the abdomen which injured the transverse colon and caused internal bleeding,” said government pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu, who conducted the autopsy.
His family says they are devastated by the incident and want those responsible held accountable.
"We are going through pain... this is our elder brother. Our mother is so weak,” said Gordon Nayo, his brother.
“If it wasn’t for the police brutal killings, he could still be alive,” added Judy Nayo, his sister, while appealing for support to bury their loved one.
Nayo is one of at least 43 people who died during the Saba Saba protests held across the country.
Nairobi County recorded the highest number of deaths, with at least 10 lives lost, followed by Kiambu with nine and Kajiado with six.
Victims included schoolchildren, university students, and many unidentified individuals whose bodies were taken to various mortuaries and hospitals.
The report by Haki Africa shows the victims were mostly male, with 13 yet to be identified. Rights groups have pointed to the numbers as evidence of a deadly and disproportionate police crackdown during the protests.
The deaths have sparked concern over the conduct of police during demonstrations. The Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya supported Haki Africa’s findings and described the killings as part of a “systematic” pattern that needs urgent review.
“The continued killing of protestors is not just a violation of the right to life, but a direct attack on the constitutional freedom of assembly and expression,” said the group.
The July 7 protests marked 35 years since the original Saba Saba movement, with thousands of Kenyans taking to the streets to protest against poor governance, economic hardship, and corruption.
Rights organisations say the rising death toll reflects a troubling trend of excessive and lethal force used on demonstrators.
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