The grief-stricken parents of Kennedy Onyango, a 12-year-old boy who was killed in the June 2025 anti-Finance Bill protests, opened up about the unexpected turn of events in the one-year anniversary demonstrations, which took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
In an interview with TV47, Jacinta Onyango, Kennedy’s mother, said the anniversary protests did not go as planned.
According to Jacinta, the police had promised to provide security for the families of the deceased, who had intended to lay flowers at the exact spots where their loved ones were killed during the June 2024 protests. However, that promise was not fulfilled.
“Hio siku, haikuenda vile tulipanga,” she said, “Tulienda huko Central Police Station, tukakubaliana, mpaka wakaita watu wa media wakasema watatulinda kama wazazi, tuende tueke maua, tuombe, na wataandamana na sisi polepole, tumalize na sisi turudi kwa nyumba. Haikua hivo.”
She revealed that as they were on their way to the spot where Rex Masai lost his life, three police vans drove past them, the third firing a teargas canister in their direction.
After two more teargas canisters were fired at them, they sought shelter at the Nation Media Group offices.
“Vile walirusha mara mbili ikiwa inafuatana, tulipiga corner mara moja tukaingia ndani ya Nation Centre. Jameni nililia,” Jacinta narrated.
Jacinta said she wishes her family, along with the families of the deceased, were able to honour their loved ones as they had intended.
Still carrying the weight of that day, she recalls a phone call she received from President William Ruto shortly after Kennedy’s death.
“Dennis Itumbi alinipigia simu. Akaniambia mum, shika simu, ni rais anataka kuongea na wewe,” she said, ” Akasema habari mama, nikamwambia sio mzuri. Akaniambia sawa, nimeskia na nimesema pole sana. Nitakuita na tukae chini na tuongee…na nita make sure Kennedy amepata haki yake.”
One year later, Jacinta says she has neither received any follow-up communication nor seen any justice served for her son’s death.
Michael Odero, Kennedy’s father, says he had expectations of getting justice for his son, and those responsible held accountable.
“Kitu ya kwanza, hawa maaskari wenye walifanya hio kitendo kwa saa hii, mimi nilikua nadhani watapatikana na imejulikana ni nani alimpiga Kennedy risasi, apelekwe kortini alafu kutoka hapo tupewe justice ya Kennedy,” he said.
Kennedy Onyango is one of the 60 people who lost their lives during the 2024 anti-finance bill protests. One year later, as Kenyans marked the anniversary of the departed souls, 19 people lost their lives and 531 were injured.
For families like Jacinta Onyango’s, the pain has only deepened as they are still searching for accountability and fulfillment of the promises made.
Written by Zynant Sandra
