Tragic Legacy: The Story of Kennedy Onyango

In 2024, Kennedy Onyango, a 12-year-old boy, was shot by police during protests in Rongai against the controversial Finance Bill. His mother, Jecinta Anyango, is left heartbroken and inconsolable after losing her son.

Police Brutality and Its Impact

Speaking with Eastleigh Voice, Anyango shared how police brutality has shattered her hopes and dreams. She expressed her profound sadness, noting that her son’s life was violently ended by a barrage of eight bullets.

The Grief of a Mother

“Sometimes I think I don’t even understand myself. I hallucinate that he will return because I struggle to accept that he is gone forever,” Anyango revealed. “With my other children suffering from sickle cell disease, his absence hits even harder, especially for his sibling who was very close to him.”

Hopes Dashed

Anyango had placed all her hopes on Onyango to pursue education and find stable employment to support their family. “I have no home in the rural areas to turn to,” she lamented, reflecting on the dreams she had for her eldest child.

A Future Cut Short

“Onyango was promising; he was bright and healthy, but his potential was snuffed out by police bullets,” Anyango stated. She had believed that with an education, Kennedy would provide for her and the family, amplifying the weight of their loss.

Calling for Justice

Despite calls for accountability and justice for her son, Anyango feels let down by the system. “I have tried to seek justice, but I have lost hope. Even political leaders who visited promised help but knew they were lying… it’s been painful,” she expressed.

A Promise Unfulfilled

President William Ruto even reached out to Anyango via phone, expressing condolences and promising to address the case. “He assured me that he would help, just as I would wish for help if I were in his position,” Anyango recalled, yet the promise remains unfulfilled.

The Innocence of a Child

Anyango firmly believes that her son was innocent, stating, “My child had no involvement in the protests. Bullets should never be used against a child.” The pain of losing a child to such senseless violence is a burden that no parent should bear.

The Medical Insight

According to government pathologist Peter Ndegwa, Kennedy Onyango succumbed to severe hemorrhage caused by a bullet wound. This tragic incident has raised concerns about police conduct during protests, calling for reforms and accountability to prevent future tragedies.