NDUMBERI — Mourners gathered Tuesday in Ndumberi to bury 12-year-old Bridget Nekesa, who was shot and killed by a stray bullet during the July 7 Saba Saba protests. Her death has triggered national outrage and sharpened focus on police use of force during demonstrations.
12 year old Bridget Nekesa was reportedly inside her family’s home in Kiamaiko, Nairobi, when a bullet struck her as police shot aimlessly to disperse angry protesters. She was one of the youngest victims in the nationwide protests organized by civil society groups and youth-led movements demanding accountability and better governance.
The burial drew a crowd of grieving residents, relatives, and national figures. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, and DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa joined the family in mourning. The white coffin carrying her remains arrived under heavy emotion, as chants against police brutality echoed through the village.
Nekesa’s family has demanded justice. “She was just a child, not on the streets, not holding a placard,” said a relative. “We want those responsible held accountable.”
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed an active investigation into the circumstances that led to Nekesa’s death. IPOA is also reviewing reports of other civilians injured or killed during the same protests.
Her killing has become a symbol of public frustration with how police manage protests in urban areas, where officers often fire live ammunition near residential homes and dense crowds. Rights groups have criticized the government for what they call a pattern of excessive and indiscriminate force.
Nekesa’s funeral follows mounting pressure from both local and international rights organizations demanding transparency and reform in how law enforcement handles protests. Her death is one of multiple casualties reported during the July 7 demonstrations, which took place across Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and other cities.
As the casket was lowered into the ground, one mourner remarked, “She didn’t die by accident. She died because no one was careful enough to protect a child in her own home.”
Authorities have yet to confirm if any officer has been suspended or disciplined in connection to the incident.
The IPOA has said it will make its findings public once investigations are complete.
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