Babu Owino Mourns Student Killed in June 25th Protests as Death Toll Mounts

The echoes of gunshots and tear gas from Kenya's June 25th anniversary protests continue to reverberate, leaving a trail of grief and renewed calls for accountability.

Among the growing list of casualties is Victor Otieno Odhiambo, a student from Thika Technical Training Institute, who was tragically shot dead by police on Thika Road. His death has drawn a powerful elegy from Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, highlighting the devastating human cost of the ongoing demonstrations.

In a poignant Facebook post that has since garnered widespread attention, MP Babu Owino shared his sorrow and condemned the violence that claimed young Victor's life.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of young lives taken too soon. They stood for justice and paid the ultimate price. We mourn with heavy hearts and stand in solidarity with all who demand truth, dignity, and change. May their memory be a light that guides us forward.”

The good news is that NO ONE will EXIT this world alive. The only difference is time and how each one of us will exit,” Owino wrote on his Facebook page.

 The MP's message, shared alongside a somber image, underscored the loss of a young life with immense potential, cut short by the very forces meant to maintain order. His words resonated with many Kenyans, particularly the youth, who see Victor's death as yet another tragic consequence of police brutality during protests.

The June 25th, 2025 protests, commemorating the first anniversary of the widespread anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, were met with heavy police deployment and clashes across several counties.While the exact total number of fatalities is still being compiled by various human rights organizations, preliminary reports paint a grim picture.

Multiple sources, including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and various media outlets, have confirmed at least 8 deaths across the country, with some reports even indicating figures as high as 12 to 16 fatalities.

These deaths, predominantly from gunshot wounds, occurred in various locations including Machakos, Makueni, Nakuru, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Nyandarua, and also Nairobi's Ngara and Embakasi areas.

Beyond the fatalities, hundreds more have sustained injuries, many requiring specialized medical attention.

Victor Otieno Odhiambo's death on Thika Road adds a stark, personal face to these alarming statistics. The circumstances surrounding his shooting remain under investigation, but it fuels the narrative of excessive force employed by law enforcement against protesters.

The video shared by MP Babu Owino, though not explicitly showing the moment of Victor's shooting, serves as a powerful reminder of the volatile environment in which these young lives were lost.

MP Babu Owino has long been a vocal advocate for youth rights and has frequently engaged with students and young people.

As investigations continue and the full scale of casualties emerges, the demand for justice for Victor Otieno Odhiambo and all those who lost their lives in the June 25th protests is expected to intensify.