Family of man shot dead during anti-government protests in Mlolongo speaks

Speaking to Citizen Digital on Tuesday, Stephen Kiilu, cousin to the deceased, narrated how they lost their kin during the running battles between protesters and anti-riot police officers.

Kiilu narrates that on the fateful day, Mutinda, 23, kicked off his day heading to work from Mlolongo to Nairobi's CBD just as he was accustomed to.  

Upon his arrival to work, Mutinda had barely rolled up his sleeves when he was told to return home since there was swelling unrest nationwide.

Kiilu says that at around 12pm, when Mutinda arrived at the Mlolongo stage he encountered a rowdy pocket of protesters who were fiercely engaging with the anti-riot police officers who incessantly lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them.

Mutinda was unfortunately caught up in the melee just when the police had started opening fire and he was hit by a stray bullet in the head which killed him on the spot.

Kiilu narrates that a family member then informed them of Mutinda's death through a phone call but suspicion had already risen among family members since they had already engaged with videos making rounds on social media. 

"We got a report from a family member in Mlolongo who told us that he (Mutinda) was shot and we had also suspected that he was among the ones who were shot from the videos circulating online," said Kiilu.

However devastated, family members commenced a search for Mutinda's body in different hospitals on Thursday, July 13, which ended at City Mortuary in Nairobi.

"We first looked in Shalom Community Hospital then Kitengela Medical Services, Machakos Level 5 Hospital, Kenyatta Hospital and finally found his body in City Mortuary. His body is still there," Kiilu said.

Kiilu remembered the deceased, the last born in a family of four siblings, as an ambitious and hardworking young man.

They now want justice to be served and those responsible for their loved one's death to be brought to book. They also want the Azimio la Umoja coalition to take action and cater for the burial of those who lost their lives during the protests. 

Meanwhile, the family has recorded a statement at the Mlolongo police station.