Victims families, survivors to lead Kisumu vigil

Residents of Kisumu have been asked to join today's commemoration of those killed in the anti-Finance Bill, 2024 protests.

The organisers said the event would be led by families that lost loved ones and survivors who continue to live with the physical and emotional scars. 

Activist Boniface Akach said the demonstration would begin at Kondele at 9am before proceeding to the city centre, where petitions will be presented to the regional police boss and Governor Anyang' Nyong'o.

He said the participants would gather at the Oginga Odinga Memorial Grounds for a candlelight vigil and prayers in memory of those killed. 

Speaking at the event yesterday, Peninah Mweni, the mother of the late Benson Ouma, said the memories of June 2024 remain painfully fresh. 

"My son was killed helplessly. He was my only son among three daughters. He was the breadwinner of our family and his death changed everything," she said. 

Vickra Awitch, who was shot in the stomach at the Bondo College, said the shooting has changed his life for the worse. "I'm still going through a lot. My body is no longer the same. I cannot do hard work like I used to," he said.

Akach also called on the business community to close shops and business premises for the day, warning that some criminal elements could take advantage to loot.

He said the procession is intended to honour those who died while demanding accountability from those responsible for the deaths and injuries.  

And in Nairobi, a section of MPs allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration urged the people from Nyanza not to take part in the commemoration.

The MPs, led by Alego Usonga legislator, Samuel Atandi, yesterday claimed that President William Ruto was addressing years of marginalisation.

Atandi, who was accompanied by Phelix Odiwuor (Lang’ata), Jared Okello (Nyando), Tom Odege (Nyatike) and Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), said they were pusing for the region's share of the national cake in Parliament.

“In sending us to Parliament, our people were clear on what they wanted us to do. Their instructions to us were that we go to Parliament where the national cake is being shared, fight for their share of that cake and take to them whatever we are able to get,” Atandi said.

The MPs lashed out at Siaya Governor, James Orengo, accusing him of misleading the people and abdicating his role.

They claimed, without any evidence, that some politicians were behind the protests.

"We have two families who lost their loved ones. There is the family of Benson Ouma, popularly known as Bill Scott, who was shot nine times at a bus stage. We also have the family of Emmanuel Okuto, who was allegedly brutalised in Nyalenda and later succumbed to his injuries. We also have survivors, including myself and Ezekiel, who continue to suffer the effects of police brutality," said Akach. 

“The President has gone all out to engage our people, to mainstream them in government, roll out development projects in our region, as it happened in others and treated us like Kenyans. We are here to emphasise the message to our people that the music has changed in government, we must change how we dance,” Atandi stated.

According to the MPs, the Government has gone to the region with peace and projects and the people should not respond with stones and protests or be recruited to bite the hand that feeds them.

They said that they have fought alongside many other marginalized communities like Maa, Turkana, Abagusii, Coast and Northern Kenya and now the broad-based government is working to right the wrongs and do justice.

“We are here to tell our people and comrades to stay away from protests for now and embrace the good that the Government is offering,” Okello stated.

They also urged the people to desist from making it in the list of those who may be caught up in the protest, saying that the Government has developed a compensation framework that should not be taken for granted.

“We cannot keep quiet as leaders anymore, it is high time for us to speak to our people. For the first time in Parliament, we are finally seeing development in our constituencies. We cannot just sit and fail to advise our people that we cannot fight those giving development. This is time to tell our people no more blood. You will not see protests in our backyard. We want to assure Ruto that we stand with you, we will not back down on that promise,” Odege said.

"We are asking parents to keep their children at home because we have seen children become victims during protests," he said. 

Akach also called on the business community to close shops and business premises for the day, warning that some criminal elements could take advantage of the situation to loot property.

"We are asking business owners to shut down in solidarity. We have been informed that criminals may attempt to infiltrate and cause destruction. We do not want any eventualities," he said. 

For Peninah Mweni, the mother of Benson Ouma, the memories of June 2024 remain painfully fresh. 

Holding back tears, Mweni recounted receiving a phone call informing her that her son had been shot multiple times and was bleeding heavily. 

"My daughter called me and told me that Benson had been shot several times. My heart broke immediately. When I arrived at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, I found my son dead," she said. 

According to Mweni, Ouma was shot nine times and died from his injuries.

"My son was killed helplessly. He was my only son among three daughters. He was the breadwinner of our family and his death changed everything. Life has never been the same since then," she said. 

She said the pain of losing her son continues to haunt her every day.

"Sometimes eating becomes difficult because every meal reminds me of him. Every day I think about what happened. The pain has never left me," she said. 

As the country marks another anniversary of the Gen Z protests, Mweni renewed her call for justice and accountability. 

Siaya Governor James Orengo criticised President William Ruto over recent remarks warning against the planned June 25 demonstrations. 

"The President talks as if Kenya is a monarchy. When people issue notices for demonstrations, they do so in accordance with the law. The responsibility of the police is to provide protection and ensure the rights of demonstrators are safeguarded," said Orengo. 

"When the mothers, parents and relatives of those who were killed and injured approached the Inspector General, they asked us to accompany them. The petition is in the names of the mothers. The notice for the demonstrations was also presented by the mothers," he said.