Emotive burials of demo victims, terror charges widen Ruto-youth rift

Emotions ran high in Njogui-ini, Kirinyaga county, during the burial of 21-year-old Peter Macharia shot by police during Saba Saba protests.

Leaders who attended the funeral directed a barrage of attacks on the government, accusing it of killing children, amid calls for justice and an end to police brutality and repression.

Kirinyaga Senator James Murango on Monday regretted that they were burying youths barely in their 20s every now and then.

“Today we are burying Macharia, who was killed at a young age of 21. Tomorrow we are burying Jackline [Nyawira], who was only 20 years old. Last week, we buried James Muriithi and Edwin Murimi, who were shot dead in Makutano and Kutus respectively,” he told mourners.

“We continue to bury children without any justification for their killing. But we have decided that this country cannot continue like this. We’d rather be killed while standing but not kneeling.”

The previous week, Bridget Njoki, the 12-year-old girl shot by police during the Saba Saba demos, was buried in Ndumberi in a burial that offered a platform for residents and leaders to castigate the government over the killings.

Families of those killed during the demos have decried being frustrated in their push for justice, accusing police of a cover-up.

President William Ruto has also been accused of turning a blind eye on the plight of the families of the victims.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has reported that up to 40 people were killed during the demos.

These killings have drawn condemnation from the civil society, social media users and even UDA members.

Kakamega Senator and Majority Whip Boni Khalwale, for instance, slammed the government for the killings during the burial of Elvis Musavi, who was also killed in the demos.

“Elvis was a young man, he was a hustler. Given it is the hustlers who put us in power, and now we are shooting them, will we really get people to vote for us in 2027?” he asked.

He dismissed claims by Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen that Gen Zs want to overthrow the government, instead saying they are only seeking employment, livelihood and a means to thrive.

A report by GeoPoll released last month, titled ‘Perceptions on the June 2025 Gen Z Protests in Kenya’, pointed to the youth’s wide dissatisfaction with the government.

“Seventy-one per cent of respondents indicated that their voice is not being heard by the government,” the study said.

“Only 11 per cent felt that their concerns are being acknowledged, while 18 per cent were unsure. In addition, most respondents, 79 per cent, believe that the government is not addressing the needs of the youth.”

The charging of the protesters with the heavy terror charges has further worsened the relations between the government and the people.

The move was widely condemned, forcing the prosecution to drop terrorism charges against activist Boniface Mwangi. Dozens of demonstrators have been slapped with terror charges, which legal experts have condemned.

Former LSK president Eric Theuri has termed the charges “ridiculous” and lacking any legal foundation.

Instead of the President extending an olive branch, he has blamed the protests on poor parenting and sponsorship by the opposition.

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who is on a tour to the US accused the President of failing to listen to the youth.

Speaking during a meeting with clerics and community leaders in diaspora, Gachagua said Ruto should stop blaming the opposition and take responsibility.

“Instead of listening to the GenZ, the issues they are raising — abductions, extra-judicial killings, corruption and misappropriation of public resources — the President says these people have been incited by Riggy G and Uhuru,” Gachagua said.