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Second protester dies after anti-Finance Bill demos

Anti-finance Bill protestors march along Kenyatta Avenue as they attempt to access Parliament on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, June 23, 2024

After being injured, he was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by a group of well-wishers, where he was treated for severe injuries and internal bleeding.

A second protester has died after the demonstrations that rocked the country this week against the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

Evans Kiratu, 21, succumbed to injuries on Friday after reportedly being struck by a tear gas canister fired by police.

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Kiratu was among the demonstrators opposing the Bill, which on Thursday passed its second reading in Parliament with a vote of 204-115 and is set for a final vote on Tuesday.

His death was confirmed by his mother, Ann Wanjiru, who received the devastating news from a Good Samaritan on Saturday night.

"He died after the canister exploded. I have identified my son's body. I want the government to explain to me if we elected them to kill our children. I had hopes and dreams for him," Wanjiru said.

After being injured, he was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by a group of well-wishers, where he was treated for severe injuries and internal bleeding.

"The hospital now says they need Sh2,000 for fingerprints, and another Sh5,000 postmortem by Monday morning. I am so heartbroken, I want justice for my son," Wanjiru decried.

Chris Munene, who witnessed the unfortunate incident, recounted the frantic efforts to get Kiratu to the hospital. He said when they arrived at the hospital, they encountered a long queue of patients waiting to be attended to.

"We took him to KNH where we found a long queue of patients waiting to be attended to. We tried our best to call the doctors to come to our aid because he was in pain, the last thing he said was 'Please call my mum," he said.

Rachael Waithanje, Kiratu's aunt said that the police had left Kiratu incapacitated, bleeding on the road, and unable to walk.

Police officers on Uhuru Highway during the anti-Finance Bill protests on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)

“A Good Samaritan said he was hit by a teargas canister on his private parts and could not do anything," she said.

The incident follows the death of Rex Masai, 29, another protester who was allegedly shot by police on June 20 along Moi Avenue in Nairobi.

Both incidents have ignited outrage among young protesters, who insist their demonstrations have been peaceful. Police have stated that investigations into both deaths are underway.

A team from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) visited the scene of the shooting on Saturday as part of the probe.

IPOA witnessed and documented the post mortem on the body of Rex Masai who was allegedly fatally shot by a police bullet. We have recorded witness statements and we are currently undertaking an investigation," the Authority said.

It noted that upon completion of the investigations, they will generate a report and submit it to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) for action.

On Thursday, protests swept across numerous regions of the country against the contentious Finance Bill, 2024.

Young Kenyans took to the streets in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kericho, Lodwar, Kilifi, Nyeri, Meru, Embu, Nanyuki, Kisii, Kakamega, Machakos, Taita Taveta, and Kiambu.

The protests, which were more intense than those on Tuesday, faced a harsh response from mounted police equipped with tear gas and water cannons.