IPOA Releases Names of 9 Gen Z Protesters Killed During June 25 Parliament Protests
Calls for justice and police accountability have intensified following a new report by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). The report names nine young Kenyans who were allegedly killed by police during the nationwide protests on June 25, 2024. These demonstrations were held in opposition to the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024 and to express widespread dissatisfaction with President William Ruto’s government.
The June protests drew thousands of demonstrators to the streets of Nairobi and other parts of the country. In total, 60 people reportedly lost their lives across Kenya during these events, with 29 fatalities occurring in Nairobi alone. Shockingly, IPOA confirmed that nine of those who died in the capital were killed near Parliament.
According to IPOA, six of the victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds. The remaining three died as a result of blunt force trauma. All incidents are currently under active investigation.
These revelations have reignited national anger, with many Kenyans demanding answers and legal action against those responsible for what is widely seen as excessive use of force.
IPOA’s list of victims, which has now been made public, includes:
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: David Chege
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Gunshot
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Erickson Kyalo
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Gunshot
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Eric Kayoni Shieni
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Gunshot
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Kelvin Odhiambo Maina
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Gunshot
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Ibrahim Kamau Wanjiru
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Gunshot
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Earnest Kanyi
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Gunshot
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Kenneth Njiru Mwangi
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Blunt force trauma
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Wilson Sitati
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Blunt force trauma
Status: The matter under active investigation
Date: June 25, 2024
Name of Victim: Beasley Kogi
Place of Incident: CBD Parliament area
Cause of Injury: Blunt force trauma
Status: The matter under active investigation
Each case remains under official investigation, and the families of the deceased continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
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One case, in particular, has drawn national and international attention: the death of Eric Kayoni Shieni, a former student at the University of Nairobi. His story came to light following the release of a BBC documentary titled Blood Parliament.
In the documentary, a witness alleges that a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer was responsible for Shieni’s death. The officer, identified by his uniform and gear, was reportedly stationed just 25 meters away from Shieni when he was shot. According to the film, the officer wore a matte-green helmet, tan boots, and a white shoulder patch. He carried a solid-stock rifle.
Eyewitness accounts from the documentary suggest the officer aimed directly at Shieni during the chaos. After he was shot, Shieni’s body remained on the ground before fellow protesters carried it away. The footage and testimonies have fueled public anger and intensified demands for an independent probe into the incident.
“Who killed Eric Shieni?” has become a rallying cry both online and in public forums. Citizens want not just answers, but accountability. The question also underscores a growing concern: Was lethal force used lawfully, or was it a disproportionate reaction to public dissent?
The IPOA report, while vital in naming the victims and acknowledging the tragic events, stops short of naming suspects. This has left many questioning whether those behind the shootings will ever face justice.
Human rights groups have condemned the killings, describing them as a dark chapter in Kenya’s democratic history. They argue that the right to peaceful assembly, protected by the Constitution, was trampled by violent suppression.
In a press briefing, one activist stated, “We marched for a better future. These youths died because they believed their voices mattered. The least we can do is ensure their killers don’t go free.”
Legal experts also weighed in, warning that failure to act could set a dangerous precedent. If law enforcement officers are not held accountable, public trust in institutions could erode even further.
Meanwhile, families of the victims are left mourning, demanding justice, and navigating a long and painful road to closure. Several have joined hands with civil rights groups to push for an independent commission to investigate the killings.
The public outcry continues to grow as Kenyans wait to see if IPOA’s findings will translate into arrests and prosecutions. For many, justice delayed is justice denied. Yet, in the face of tragedy, the protests have sparked a renewed determination among young people to stand up for their rights and call for real reform.
As the country reflects on the events of June 25, 2024, one thing remains clear: the conversation around police accountability and the protection of civil liberties is far from over. The names of the fallen, now etched in the public record, have become symbols of a broader struggle for justice in Kenya.
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IPOA Releases Names of 9 Gen Z Protesters Killed During June 25 Parliament Protests
