Gen Z protests: Kennedy Onyango’s mom condemns IPOA’s request for more proof
Drama was witnessed at the Milimani Law Courts on Thursday, February 27, 2025, when Jacinta Anyango, mother to Kennedy Onyango – a 12-year-old boy killed at Ongata Rongai during the Anti-Finance Bill protests, emotionally demanding for justice.
Speaking to journalists at the Milimani Law Courts, Jacinta said that Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) asked her to provide more evidence on how the boy was killed.
Jacinta expressed shock over IPOA’s request for more evidence, stating that they were present during the postmortem, which confirmed her son was shot. She added that the postmortem report is the only evidence she has.
“I was surprised by IPOA’s demand yet they were present during postmortem exercise and they saw the results stating he was killed through a bullet. I only have the postmortem report and the grave of my son as evidence,” Jacinta told journalists.
She expressed frustration with seeking justice through IPOA, stating that she can no longer pursue the matter with them.
The emotional Jacinta said that on June 27, 2024, his son had gone out to borrow a book after returning from school when he was shot eight times.
Jacinta stated that all politicians, including the President, her area Member of Parliament, and Siaya Governor James Orengo, abandoned her and never returned to ensure she gets justice.
Additionally, she stated that when they were blocked on their way to bury her son, President William Ruto reached out through Dennis Itumbi, assuring her of the government’s support.
She added that the President had also promised to meet her after the burial, but the meeting never took place.
Jacinta urged Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga to intervene by talking to the President to ensure she gets justice for her late son.
“You said you will unite and ensure I get justice, am asking the government to help me, that was my only child. I have lost everything in my life,” Jacinta said amid sobs.
The autopsy conducted at the Ongata Rongai hospital and witnessed by his family showed that Onyango was killed by one bullet.
Hussein Khalid, a human rights defender affiliated to Vocal Africa, said that the late Onyango died from a severe gunshot wound that led to excessive bleeding.
“Kennedy suffered a gunshot wound so severe that it passed through his body, which is a clear indication of the excessive force used by the police,” Khali stated.
Drama was also witnessed during the burial of Onyango after two families collided on where the boy was to be buried after it emerged that both the father and mother separated in 2022.
