Kenneth Njeru, Kelvin Odhiambo, and Erickson Kyallo were brave participants in the protests that aimed to seek justice and accountability from the government.
Their lives ended tragically, leaving their mothers heartbroken and demanding recognition for their sacrifices.
In a touching open letter, the mothers shared their deep sorrow and the unanswered questions that plague their lives. They wrote about their sons, who were not just protesters; they were young men with dreams and responsibilities.
“We did not send them; we did not ask them to go,” the mothers stated, expressing their pain and confusion over the loss. One mother recalled how her son worked tirelessly at a local butchery, helping to support their family at a young age.
The mothers believe that Mashujaa Day should not just be a day of political speeches and promises that may never be kept. Instead, it should serve as a reminder of the young lives lost in the struggle for a better future.
“Let us engrave this day into our hearts and minds,” they urged, advocating for a monument to honor their sons and others who fought for the rights and freedoms of all Kenyans.
On that tragic day in June, what began as a peaceful protest turned into chaos. Gunshots rang out, and the sound of violence filled the air as young men fell to the ground.
The mothers vividly described the horrific scene: “The gunshots started, and we saw young men going down, blood on the streets.” The shocking violence shattered their hopes for a peaceful resolution to their demands.
This open letter is not just about personal loss; it is a powerful call for justice. The mothers recalled the fear that gripped the nation as young people disappeared, taken by unidentified forces without explanation.
“I never thought I would see those days again,” one mother wrote, reflecting on the hope she had that the constitution would protect her child from such brutality. But now, they face the painful reality that their children’s bodies are being found in mortuaries, some mutilated and abandoned.
The mothers emphasized that, despite the tragedy, they have not received answers about who was responsible for their children’s deaths.
“To date, we have had no one tell us who did this, and no one has paid,” they wrote. Human rights groups have reported that at least 50 people died during the protests, and the number could continue to rise.
While the mothers know that “money can never bring back life,” they worry that their government does not care about their loss. They drew comparisons to the tragic deaths of 21 children at Hillside Academy Endarasha, where a fire led to their deaths.
The school reopened without any answers or accountability, leaving parents in shock and mourning. “This was beyond comprehension for any parent,” they stated, emphasizing the lack of response from authorities.
As Mashujaa Day approaches, the mothers hope all Kenyans will remember their sons and the other lives lost in the fight for justice.
They want their sons to be honored for their bravery and sacrifice, serving as a reminder of the need for accountability in the face of violence and oppression.
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