The search for Dancun Onsongo, a young protester who went missing on July 2, has ended in tragedy.
His body was discovered at the City Mortuary in Nairobi, leaving his family and community in deep sorrow. Dancun, who was just 26 years old, lived and worked as a fruit vendor in Mlolongo, Machakos county.
Dancun Onsongo disappeared during the recent anti-finance bill protests. These protests, organized by young Kenyans, were against high taxes.
Many people were unhappy with the government's new finance bill, which they believed would make life harder for ordinary citizens.
Dancun joined the protests to make his voice heard, but it ended in his untimely death. His family was very worried when they couldn't find him.
They searched everywhere, including hospitals and police stations, hoping to find him alive.
Sadly, their worst fears came true when they found his body at the City Mortuary. His mother, Grace Kwamboka, was heartbroken. She said, "I am asking the government to help me bury my son. I have nothing. Dancun was my support system."
On the day he went missing, Dancun was part of a group protesting in Mlolongo. These protests were part of a larger movement across Kenya.
People from different parts of the country were coming together to show their displeasure with the new finance bill. Dancun, like many others, hoped that by protesting, they could bring about change.
However, the protests were met with strong opposition from the police. According to a report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), there have been over 40 deaths and 361 injuries due to police actions during these protests.
The report also mentioned that there have been 32 cases of abductions and 627 arbitrary arrests. The situation has been tense, with many fearing for their safety.
Dancun's death is not an isolated case. Just a few days before, the body of Denzel Omondi, a 23-year-old student from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), was found in Juja.
Denzel went missing on June 27, shortly after joining the protests. His body was discovered in an abandoned quarry, with visible bruises on his head and legs. The autopsy revealed that he had drowned.
Denzel was a promising young man studying to become a quantity surveyor. His family was devastated by his death and called for a thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice. They remembered him as a bright student who had a bright future ahead of him.
The families of both Dancun and Denzel are now calling on the government to take action. They want justice for their loved ones and for those responsible for their deaths to be held accountable.
Dancun's father said, "I believed that the high cost of living and lack of employment are the reasons that pushed him to join the street protests."
The government's response to these protests has been criticized for being too harsh, with many arguing that peaceful protesters should not be met with violence. The protests against the finance bill are part of a larger struggle in Kenya.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) report shows the scale of the problem. With over 40 deaths, 361 injuries, and numerous arrests and abductions, the protests have had a significant impact.
The commission has called for an end to the violence and for the government to address the root causes of the protests. The deaths of Dancun Onsongo and Denzel Omondi have brought attention to the serious issues facing Kenya.
Their families, and many others, are calling for change. They want the government to take their concerns seriously and to find solutions to the problems that led to the protests.
For Dancun's family, the immediate concern is to give him a proper burial. His mother has pleaded for help, saying that they do not have the money to bury him. The community has rallied around them, offering support and condolences.
0 Comments