Philip Oketch: KU student shot in the neck during protests fears for his life

His family, still reeling from the shock of the attack, alleges that unknown men suspected to be police officers tried to forcibly enter Phillip’s hospital ward but were stopped by vigilant security guards.  

A wave of fury swept through the Kenyatta National Referral Hospital as a section of Kenyatta University students stormed the facility, demanding the immediate release of their colleague, Phillip Ochieng’ Oketch.

Oketch, a 4th-year student of Pure and Applied Sciences, had been admitted after taking a bullet during Tuesday’s 'Justice for Ojwang' protests in the heart of Nairobi.

Amid chants and charged emotions, the hospital gates finally gave way to a gripping scene, Phillip emerged, frail but unbroken, flanked by fellow students and his tearful sister. Their march from the hospital was a symbol of defiance, a cry for justice echoing beyond the walls of the institution.

Oketch was swiftly moved to the Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he remains under care.

In Kanyaluo village, Karachuonyo constituency, Homa Bay County, Phillip’s parents remain gripped by shock, haunted by the thought that their son’s journey home might have been in a coffin, had fate dealt a crueller hand.

"Ilikuwa ni mshangao, sikujua alikuwa kwa maandamano…unapoambiwa kuwa amepigwa risasi mbili…nilishindwa hata kuoga…nilianza kupiga simu..nilibahatika kupata kijana akanieleza amefanyiwa upasuaji: Niliongea na kijana saa sita usiku akanieleza ako na uchungu mkononi. Swala la yeye kuwa jijini Nairobi wakati huo sijui: Kijana aliniambia hakuwa kwenye maandamano bali alikuwa anafanya shughuli zake jijini," Hezron Oketch, Philip's father, stated. 

"Niliuliza alipata ajali ya gari ama nini? Nilipiga nduru nikalala chini…saaa hiyo nikapigia baba yake…Nilikaaaa kwa nyumbaaa nikalia kwa sababu nilijua amekufaa…nilijua risasi mbili hawezi kuwa hai..nimempigia simu hashiki…hata siku lala, sijakula kitu hadi saa hii…tumeteseka sana..Ona vile sisi ni maskini na tumetaabika kulipia yeye karo," Irene Oketch, Philip's mother, noted. 

"Hata mimi naomba Serikali …ni polisi walimpiga risasi…naomba serikali waangalie maslahi ya vijana …wanauliwa..tunajiuliza ni hadi lini vijana watateseka..vijana wachukue tahadhara ya kujilinda," Hezron added. 

Phillip’s parents remain gripped by fear, terrified of what dangers may still lurk. They recount a chilling encounter, four shadowy figures who tried to slip into their son’s hospital ward at Kenyatta, only to be stopped in their tracks by the swift action of security guards

"Hivi sasa tunahofu kwa sababu tumearifiwa kwamba kuna polisi wanne ambao wamevalia sare za kawaida walijaribu kuingia ward kufikia kijana wangu…wamezuiliwa na askari wa hospitali…tunahofu kwamba wanamtafutia nini?" Oketch's father added. 

Hezron Oketch, a tailor, and his wife Irene share the heartfelt story of their relentless struggle and sacrifice to put their son through university, a dream they nurtured against all odds.

"Mimi kama mzazi ni fundi wa cherehani..mapato madogo..tumesumbuka..michango na kazi za sulubu..akipata shida inagonga ndani ya moyo," he pointed out. 

"Mimi naomba Serikali …ni polisi walimpiga risasi…naomba serikali waangalie maslahi ya vijana …wanauliwa..tunajiuliza ni hadi lini vijana watateseka..vijana wachukue tahadhara ya kujilinda."