Mother demands justice after teenager shot dead during anti-state demos in Migori

A teenager was shot dead during the demonstration against the government that took place in Isebania, Migori County, on Tuesday, as part of a nationwide call for President William Ruto to resign.

Seventeen-year-old Anthony Macharia, a Form Four student who had been preparing to return to school for the rest of the second term, was the son of Miriam Ikwabe.

"I was coming from work when I heard the devastating news of my son's death," Ikwabe told The Eastleigh Voice by phone on Wednesday. "Anthony had gone shopping for school supplies. He was so excited about going back to school and had big dreams for his future."

Ikwabe said the police fired indiscriminately while dispersing the demonstrators, causing panic and fear among residents.

"The police were shooting inside for no reason. They kept shooting even when there was no apparent threat. It was complete madness. They were shooting in corners where residents live, not the main roads"

She said her son's body remained on the ground for 40 minutes as the police continued their barrage.

"The police shot at him while he was defending himself. He was killed in a corner. If they shot him in the back, it means it was intentional. If it was in the front, it could have been accidental, but how do you accidentally shoot someone unarmed, especially a child?"

She added, "He was smart and loving. We depended on him. I was waiting for him to finish Form Four. He always said he would take care of me. Now that dream is shattered."

Ikwabe said she sent

Despite the chaos having calmed down, Miriam sent Anthony to the shops believing it was safe, despite the chaos witnessed on other days of protests.

"The situation had cooled down. I thought it was okay to send him to get some of the things we needed. When the boys tried to carry Anthony's body, the police continued to fire tear gas. There was no need for such excessive force."

Many parties, among them members of the public, the opposition, local and international human organisations, and regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) have urged calm in Kenya as the protests continue, saying the police need to exercise restraint when dealing with peaceful crowds.

"It makes no sense. My son wanted to be a journalist to tell stories and share the truth with the world. His own story has ended in such a cruel way," she said.

"I encouraged him to be a journalist. I told him it was a noble dream. I had suggested he become a mechanic like his father, to fix things and have a stable job but his heart was set on journalism. He refused to let go of that dream."

Ikwabe, like many members of the public afflicted by police brutality and other acts of violence during the demonstration, demanded justice.

"We need answers. Why did the police shoot at unarmed civilians? Why was my son, a 17-year-old boy with dreams and a future, killed in such a brutal manner? There must be accountability," she said, amid investigations into the incident.

"My son's voice has been silenced but I will continue to speak for him. This injustice cannot be ignored."

On July 1, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that 39 individuals died during anti-Finance Bill protests between June 18 and July 1, while 361 individuals countrywide suffered various injuries.

According to the commission's analysis, Nairobi County accounted for most of the deaths at 17, followed by Uasin Gishu at four, Mombasa, and Nakuru and Kajiado at three each. Kisumu County accounted for two while Laikipia, Narok, Kakamega, Kisii, Siaya, Kiambu and Nandi each recorded one death.

Thus far, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is probing reports of police misconduct during the protests. Ruto pledged last Sunday that all criminals, whether civilians or the police, would be found and punished for their actions.