21 years old Kirinyaga youth shot during Sabasaba protests given an emotional send off

Kirinyaga senator Kamu Murango addressing mourners during the burial ceremony of 21 years old Peter Macharia in Kagumo, Kirinyaga

Emotions and raw anger rent the air as residents of Kirinyaga county turned out in droves to send off 21 years old Peter Macharia who was shot dead during the violent Sabasaba protests held on July 7.

Macharia was allegedly shot while picking tea near his family’s home in Njogu-ini village in Kagumo with mourners demanding answers on his death.

The family was forced to reschedule his burial last week after a post mortem scheduled at Kerugoya county referral hospital on Wednesday was postponed.

Peninah Wanjiru, a resident, expressed bitterness at the death of the youth who had his future nipped at the bud while eking a living.

“We are very bitter that young people continue to die so needlessly. Macharia was working. He was being a productive member of the society and was still killed,” she said.

Macharia’s burial was attended by hundreds of youths carrying the Kenyan flag and who also draped his coffin in a flag.

They sang the national anthem and chanted other songs, expressing their anger and strongly condemning his murder.

Leaders led by senator Kamau Murango called on the government to reign in on police officers found culpable of shooting youths during protests.

Murango said the county lost four youths, most of whom did not participate in the protests and who were at the height of their productivity.

Last week, two other youths, James Muriithi and Edwin Murimi were laid to rest after suffering gun-shot wounds during the protests.

“Today we’re burying Macharia, tomorrow we will bury Jackline Wawira, 20, who was shot while watching the protests in a balcony in Githurai,” he said.

But Murango appealed to Gen Zs to ensure they register as voters in large numbers to ensure they make the changes they desire in the next elections.

“Voting is the only way you can exercise your power to vote in the leaders that you want,” the senator told the irate residents.

The leaders hit back at President William Ruto for what they termed as shifting the blame of the chaos experienced during protests on to parents.

The President who was attending a church service at Africa Inland Church (AIC) on Sunday told parents to stop abdicating their parental responsibilities to other institutions such as the church and the state saying its their responsibility to nurture and mentor their children.

But Baragwi MCA David Mathenge said some of killed youths were not participating in any chaos when they lost their lives and wondered why police officers still shot at them.

“You tell us that we have abdicated our parental duties but things worsened when your Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen gave the shoot to kill order,” he said.

“You then came out and gave the shoot-on-the-legs order. If we shoot all our youths on the legs, who will vote for you in 2027?” he asked.

His Kerugoya counterpart Eric Muchina insisted that parents have not failed in their responsibilities, asking the President to instead reign in his errant juniors that he said are fanning the chaos.

Muchina also took issues with the charges preferred against youths arrested after the protests saying they will make it impossible for them to contribute to the growth of the economy.

“We need to stop branding our youths as terrorists when they’re just trying to mould their lives,” he added, highlighting the need for the government to find amicable means of resolving the challenges faced by the youths.

Mutira MCA Kinyua Wangui on his part said those involved in Macharia’s shooting are held accountable, saying the families affected by the murders need justice.

Ends