Senator Kinyua Demands Answers on the Deaths of Julia Njoki and Thomas Gachwara During the Saba Saba Demonstration

Sen. John Kinyua (Laikipia) has raised concerns over the death of Mr. Thomas Gachwara and Ms Julia Njoki, who died during the saba saba demonstration on 7th July 2025 in Nanyuki, Laikipia County. 

Ms.  Njoki, a 24-year-old, was arrested during the Saba Saba demonstrations in Nanyuki on 7th July 2025, and after being charged in court the following day, she was granted a cash bail of Kshs50,000, which she couldn't afford, leading to her remand at Nanyuki Prisons. 

On 9th July, her family was informed that she had collapsed in custody and was taken to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital with severe injuries, and she later succumbed to them. The preliminary medical reports pointed to blunt force trauma, raising serious concerns about her treatment while in state custody. 

Further intensifying public concern was the fatal shooting by the police of Mr. Thomas Gachwara, a Form Three student, also in Nanyuki on the same day of the protests.

While seeking a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations earlier today, 23rd July 2025, Senator Kinyua termed the deaths as deeply troubling and condemned the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies during demonstrations. 

He said that the deaths of the two youths expose critical failures in protecting detainees' rights and ensuring police accountability and asked the Committee to report to the House the accounts by the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner General of Prisons on the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention, and death of the two Kenyans. 

“The Security Committee should report to this House the extent of violation of the rights of the demonstrators, generally, as well as persons arrested and/or detained during the protests, and the legal or disciplinary action taken against the culpable police officers. 

The report should include the operational decisions taken during the Saba protests and the disciplinary measures taken against the officers involved,” Senator Kinyua said. 

Besides, the Laikipia Senator urged the Senator Fatuma Dullo-led Committee to find out whether the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has initiated investigations into police operations during the Saba protests, specifically the killing of innocent Kenyans and the use of brutal force against unarmed protesters, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

The Security Committee will subsequently investigate the matter and recommend necessary reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in crowd control and detention procedures.