A postmortem report has confirmed 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Njoki was shot while watching TV at her parents’ home in
Ndumberi, Kiambu county, during the Saba Saba protests on Monday.
The postmortem conducted at St Teresa Hospital in
Thindigua, Kiambu town, showed the cause of death was traumatic brain injury
resulting from a penetrating injury to the head, consistent with a gunshot.
According to the report, Njoki suffered a single entry wound
to the left frontal scalp with no exit wound, with no other physical injuries noted.
Njoki’s tragic death sparked widespread outrage and
condemnation over the use of live bullets during protests.
The family of Njoki is struggling to come to terms
with the devastating loss, as leaders across Kiambu county condemn excessive
use of force by police officers.
Michael Karanga, Kenya’s top amateur golfer and founder of the
Michael Karanga Foundation that trains children to play golf for free, expressed
deep sorrow over Njoki’s death.
He said Njoki was one of his most promising students and had won several trophies through the foundation.
"I cannot imagine Njoki is gone as she had a future in
the golfing world. In our office lies the trophy she won at Migaa Golf Club and
many other certificates. I will miss her. She has left us with heavy hearts,"
Karanga said.
He said Njoki had done nothing wrong and it is regrettable she lost her life at home and away from the protests.
"Children know nothing of maandamano. Njoki was
innocent. Police should not have used live bullets."
Karanga pledged that the foundation will support Njoki’s
family and called for justice to prevail.
Thomas Kimari, a businessman and neighbour, also called for
accountability, insisting that someone must be held responsible for the child’s
death.
He said the incident left residents terrified, noting
that several bullet shells were found inside compounds and on rooftops in the
area.
"Police should not have shot into people's homes since
the protests were being conducted on the roads. The use of live bullets on
residents is unconstitutional and has led to the death of people who were not involved
in the protests," Kimari said.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya-Kiambu chapter
has condemned what it described as a heinous act and a grave violation
of Njoki's right to life.
In a statement, vice chairperson Munene Warutere highlighted
the increasing recklessness in the use of force against unarmed civilians,
including children, during what he termed peaceful demonstrations.
"This is wholly unacceptable. No family should suffer
the horror of losing a child in such a senseless and preventable manner," he said.
Warutere pledged to support Njoki’s family noting that a
dedicated team of members has been assigned to pursue justice on the family's
behalf.
He pledged to leave no stone unturned in holding the
perpetrators accountable and in demanding systemic reforms to prevent a
recurrence of such tragedies in the future.
The chapter has urged the Independent Policing
Oversight Authority and other relevant agencies to expedite
investigations, emphasising the need for justice for Njoki and all victims of
police brutality.
The tragic incident has intensified calls for police reform
and thorough investigations into the use of force during demonstrations.
Several people are reported to have lost their lives during the Saba Saba protests, with some families indicating that their relatives were not participating in the chaotic demonstrations.
