CNN has shared a series of events that led up to the final moment of 25-year-old Kenyan protestor Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya.
CNN, through their correspondent Larry Madowo, shared a video showing the tragic events outside Parliament where Ericsson Mutisya was shot alongside other protestors.
The chilling footage captures Mutisya joyfully dancing, unaware of the impending tragedy that would claim his life just 15 minutes later.
As Mutisya fell victim to shots from unknown shooters, shocking reports emerged that the authorities callously ignored his body, walking past the fallen protester.
The media house has pointed fingers to the police for using excessive force against the protesters during the June 25, 2024, anti-finance bill protests that turned deadly.
“CNN watched as Kenyan security forces shot dead at least three protesters outside the Kenyan parliament on Tuesday. I saw Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya, 25 dancing in white overalls. Shots rang out shortly after that and I saw his body. He wasn’t the only one,” Madowo wrote.
The CNN video shows fellow protestors tenderly draping a Kenyan flag over Mutisya’s lifeless form, their voices rising in a solemn rendition of the national anthem.
The heart-wrenching sight of Mutisya’s brother holding his hand amidst the chaos struck a chord with Larry Madowo, leaving an emotional impact of the violent events that unfolded that day.
“I saw Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya dancing outside Parliament. He went live and 15 minutes later, he was shot dead. Police ignored his body. He just lay there as people walked past, his white overalls soaked in blood. Protesters took Ericsson’s body after police ignored him. They draped the flag over him and sang the national anthem. The brother with the faded orange shirt held his hand. It broke my heart,” Madowo said in his report.
According to Ericsson’s mother, he was a butcher who left his job to take action for his democratic rights, not knowing that he would be shot during the protests. Ericsson bled to death as a result of a bullet wound that hit his back.
EXCLUSIVE: CNN watched as Kenyan security forces shot dead at least 3 protesters outside the Kenyan parliament on Tuesday.
I saw Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya, 25 dancing in white overalls. Shots rang out shortly after that and I saw his body. He wasn’t the only one pic.twitter.com/zu0Tw1qR8O
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) July 1, 2024
No blood on my hands
In an interview with Kenyan Journalists President William Ruto defended police for using excessive force against protesters claiming criminals had infiltrated the demonstrations.
Earlier, a march took place on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in memory of the protesters who died in anti-government demonstrations.
President Ruto later said he had no blood on my hands adding that the deaths were unfortunate but will be looked into.
“I have no blood on my hands. It is very unfortunate. As a democracy that should not be part of our conversation. There will be an investigation on how these 19 Kenyans died. There will be an explanation for each and every one of them. The police have done the best they could,” said Ruto.
