A family in Karatina is demanding justice after their 19-year-old son, Wycliff Thiongo, was shot and injured during the 'Nane Nane' protests in Karatina Town. 

Thiongo, who is now admitted to the ICU at Kenyatta National Hospital, was not involved in the protests. According to his family, he was on his way home from work when he was shot by masked security officers. 

Thiongo is among eight people who sustained gunshot injuries during the protests in Karatina last Thursday.

The scenes in Karatina Town last Thursday were chaotic. Four men, driving an unmarked Subaru, roamed the town, shooting at protesters to disperse them. 

The men, using live ammunition, were captured on video at various locations in the town, firing at the crowds. By the end of the day, eight people, including a minor, were left nursing gunshot wounds at Karatina Sub-County Hospital.

 For the past three days, her life has revolved around the hospital, where her 19-year-old relative, Wycliff Thiongo, is fighting for his life after being shot during the protests. Thiongo, a salonist at a local salon, was leaving work when the chaos erupted.

Diana Wambui, Thiongo’s mother, recounted, “Saa alikuwa anatoka kwa hiyo salon ndio alinipigia anikujie twende nyumbani, akikuja ndio alipata na hao askari wakikimbia waliingia mahali saa hiyo waliingia hapo ndio walishootiwa hiyo risasi ikaingia na gate ikampata ndani.”

Reports indicate that Thiongo was shot alongside two others before they were rescued and rushed to Karatina Sub-County Hospital. Thiongo was shot in the chest, and the bullet exited from his back, leaving him in need of specialized treatment.

Wambui explained, “Daktari alisema hii ni referral ya Kenyatta tukawekwa kwa ambulance tukakuja mpaka Kenyatta na response ya Kenyatta ilikuwa mzuri na akapelekwa Theatre na sasa ako ICU.”

Thiongo, who was set to join college in the next two weeks, will now have to delay his plans due to this tragic turn of events.

Wambui expressed her distress, “Hiyo pesa ya kulipa hospitali nitatoa wapi, sijui nitatoa wapi … Polisi wanatumia nguvu sijui kwa nini wanatumia hiyo nguvu mingi na hawana silaha hao wanaenda tu hivyo nao askari wanatumia risasi live sio rubber kama huyu alipigwa live sio rubber.”

Meshack Owour, a friend of Thiongo, added, “We are not fighting or having like weapons in the streets. We only have flags, water, and are shouting and saying that we need good governance, and that is all we need.”

The family, which is appealing to well-wishers to donate blood for Thiongo, who, though in stable condition, lost a significant amount of blood, is also calling on IPOA to investigate the incident and ensure that justice is served.