Mother mourns son killed during Gen Z riots, seeks justice

A reggae song playing from a mobile phone echoed in Maria Shikwe’s ears as tears rolled down her cheeks. It reminded her of her autistic son, Austin Onyisa, who was shot dead during the Gen Z protests on June 25, 2024.

Shikwe welcomed the Sunday Standard team to her modest iron-sheet home in Kabachia estate. Despite green maize flourishing in her compound, the mother of three says there is little else to be thankful for.

When this reporter mentioned Mother’s Day, she broke down. “I have nothing to celebrate because I lost my firstborn son. If he were here, we would be celebrating, but he was killed without committing a crime,” she said.

Now living with her two remaining sons, Shikwe described her life as one of pain, boredom, and hopelessness. “I lost the person who made me a mother,” she added. She said Onyisa loved reggae music and often danced around the house. He also helped with cooking, cleaning, and digging on the farm. “He was like a father to his siblings. Their father died, and now he’s gone too. Our home is silent, lonely, and full of sorrow,” she said.

As she spoke, Shikwe was still worried about her second-born, who is also autistic and hadn’t returned home. “Sometimes he comes back at 11 p.m. He can’t speak, and I can’t trace him after school,” she said.

She remembered Onyisa always ensured his brother got home safely from Pangani Special School. “Continue to rest in peace, we miss you. I pray God gives us strength to move on,” she said.

On June 25, she had asked Onyisa to accompany her to Nakuru Level Five Hospital to help register her second-born for e-Citizen medical cover. When they returned, the younger son was missing. She sent Onyisa to look for him near the protest area. As violence escalated, Shikwe became anxious.

“I was almost shot outside our compound. I went to police stations and four hospitals before I was told to return the next day. That’s when I found out he was in the county mortuary,” she said.

She now lives with guilt and unanswered questions. “My son was not a protester. I regret sending him. There’s no peace in my home,” she said. IPOA confirmed the case is active but requested witnesses—something Shikwe says she can’t provide. “Onyisa was calm, hardworking, and kind. I just want justice,” she said. .