4 PM: LSK President Demands Answers From Ruto
The Law Society of Kenya through its President Faith Odhiambo demanded investigations into the massive shooting in Githurai 44. She asked the international community to investigate the matter independently.
"Is Githurai a protected area? Is Githurai an area where Kenyans should not stay? Why was there a massacre where people lived? We demand answers," she questioned.
She also asked President William Ruto and the Security Council to produce a report on the number of Kenyans who have lost their lives in the demonstrations. The lawyer also asked him to change his stance to avoid more losses.
Odhiambo emphasised that all those involved should be held accountable. She also sent condolence messages to all the families who have lost their loved ones.
1.15 PM: Locals Find Body of Tout Shot Dead in Githurai
Residents from Githurai found the lifeless body of a young man who worked as a tout and was believed to have been shot during the night's altercation with police officers.
According to one of the residents, the tout had gunshot wounds to his head and was lying in a pool of blood. The deceased is believed to be from the coastal region.
"Don't have freedom in Kenya, why did they kill him? Is this right, who did we elect and what is going on here?" he posed.
12.45 PM: KNH Confirms Receiving Injured Protestors From Githurai
Dr Benjamin Wabwire, the Acting Director of Surgical Services at the Kenya National Hospital (KNH) revealed that the referral hospital received several patients from Githurari who are receiving treatment.
According to the official, KNH received 15 victims from Githurai following the night shooting. He has urged all those missing their relatives to go and check with the hospital.
"Not a huge number but for this type of injury, yesterday was significant," he emphasised.
The Wabwire added that the hospital had attended to over 100 victims from the ongoing protests adding that some had sustained injuries from live and rubber bullets.
11.45 AM: Githurai Resident Reveals Details of Night Shooting
Githurai resident while speaking to the press shared details of the Tuesday night incident. One of the residents revealed the residents were holding protests and were peaceful before police started to fire tear gas canisters.
The residents added that the altercation between police and residents began at night adding that officers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) were firing aimlessly.
"It's said KDF officers came in their numbers and were shooting carelessly. Relatives are calling everyone living in Githurai to know if we are okay because the bullets were many. We are not sure but many people have died," the resident added.
Another resident revealed that one woman from the area lost her son who was shot by the officers.
11 AM: Babu Owino Offers Advice on Githurai Shooting
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino condemned the reported killings of protestors in Githurai 45. He advised the government to listen to what Kenyans are saying.
"Killing people in Githurai is not the solution, the solution is to listen to what Kenyans want. The people from Mt Kenya voted for President William Ruto but he has no appreciation,'" he stated.
9.50 AM: Githurai OB Report Indicates 740 Rounds of Ammunition Used, Details Number of Injuries
A police report filed at the Githurai Mwiki Police Station at 21.15hrs indicates that at around 10 pm the anti-finance bill protests turned chaotic. This forced police from the Githurai and Kasarani sub-counties to respond.
About 6,000 Kenyans were accused of being violent and lighting bonfires on the road and refused the police officers' request to disperse. Police tried to use tear gas canisters to scatter the crowd but to no avail.
Following the altercation between police officers and the protesters, vehicles were destroyed, road infrastructure was damaged and 20 police officers were injured.
"During the demonstration 740, 7.62MM black CMM 7.62MM special and 18 rounds of 5.56*45MM were spent also 700 pieces of teargas canisters and 258 pieces of 37/38 teargas were used to disperse the violent rioters CMM the situation had been calmed and all the three stations guarded. Case PUI, DCI Githurai dealing," read part of the OB.
On Tuesday night June 25, Kenyans aired their concerns about an alleged shootout in Githurai 45, Kiambu County over the anti-finance bill protests.
According to reports and videos going viral online, there was heavy gunfire in the area along the Thika Highway and several people were reported dead.
Additionally, videos indicated some Kenyans being forced off the road to avoid the alleged shooters and were seen using other Murram roads in the nearby estates.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke the OCS Githurai Mwiki Nelson Omolo on Wednesday refuted the claims adding that at the alleged time, the military was going back to the barracks at Kahawa.
He added that he had yet to receive any reports of the said shootout from any of the local residents.
"I am the best person to ask about this and so far I have not received any reports on the said shooting, it was just the military heading to the barracks," he added.
Kenyans.co.ke also reached out to OCS Githurai 44 for comments on the said shootout but did not receive any response.
However, according to some tenants who live near Githurai 45, there was intense gunfire from around 8 pm. One of the residents claimed that protestors had blocked the highway forcing police officers to take action.
The residents' claims are backed by photos showing some victims with gunshot wounds being treated at various hospitals.
