Man’s leg amputated after Saba Saba shooting
By Ascah Mwango, July 10, 2025A 40-year-old man from Thindigua, Kiambu County, has undergone a leg amputation after being shot by police during the recent Saba Saba protests.
Geoffrey Mugendi, a father of two and a professional roofer, was struck by a stray bullet fired by police officers who were dispersing demonstrators in the area.
According to the family, Mugendi was not participating in the protests. His friend, Melkizedik Mchasia, who was with him at the time, chaos erupted suddenly when gunshots rang out. As people scrambled for safety, a police officer appeared and opened fire. Mchasia managed to duck, narrowly escaping harm, but the bullet hit his friend’s leg.
“Kidogo kidogo nilianza kuskia risasi, askari alitoka akanishoot, ni mungu tu alinishikilia, nikainama, lakini ikapiga rafiki yangu Geoffrey,” Mchasia said.
Geoffrey expressed despair over his uncertain future, worried about how he would now provide for his children.
“Mimi ni fundi, nafanya kazi ya roofing; sasa hata kufanya itakuwa ngumu,” Geoffrey said from his hospital bed.
Doctors were forced to amputate his leg to save his life.
His wife, deeply shaken by the turn of events, said their lives have been upended. She described how her husband’s condition now requires full-time care, stripping the family of their only breadwinner.
“Saa hii mume wangu amerudi kuwa kama mtoto. Hawezi tusaidia tena. Amekuwa kiwete na sina tena wa kumtegemea,” she said in tears.
She also criticised the government’s handling of the protests, questioning President William Ruto’s order to shoot, which she says affects innocent people.
“Hakuwa kwenye maandamano; unaona iyo shoot order inakosea hadi wenye hawako maandamano, hafai poa raisi,” she added.
The family also condemned the government’s handling of the protests, questioning the logic of allowing police to use live bullets in densely populated areas. They argued that such force endangers not only protesters but also innocent civilians like Geoffrey, who have no involvement in the unrest.
Residents of Thindigua have also expressed their anger and disappointment, accusing the police of using excessive force even on bystanders.
Ruto’s order to police
This comes just days after President William Ruto directed police to shoot in the legs anyone found burning or looting property during protests.
“We want peace in Kenya, people to do business. A person who is going to burn another person’s business and property, such a person should be shot in the legs, taken to the hospital and then to court. They should not kill him, but they should shoot the legs.”
Ruto stressed that the police must not kill innocent civilians but must act firmly against criminals.
“We cannot accept people who burn other people’s property and business. Is there justice there? Police should not shoot citizens to kill, but the criminals should be dealt with,” he said.
He also warned politicians accused of sponsoring the protests that action would be taken against them.