Passaris outlines solutions after shooting of 12-year-old during Saba Saba protests
By Ascah Mwango, July 16, 2025Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has proposed a raft of reforms to prevent police from using deadly force on innocent civilians during protests. This comes after the tragic death of 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki, who was shot inside her home during the recent Saba Saba demonstrations.
In a statement shared via her X account on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Passaris demanded an official apology from the Kenya Police, a clear and honest explanation of how Bridgit died, and compensation and justice for her grieving family.
She has also called for body cameras to be worn by all officers during public events, a ban on live bullets at protests in favour of rubber ones, and proper police training on human rights and de-escalation techniques.
“An official apology from the Kenya Police * A clear and honest explanation of how she died * Compensation and justice for her family * Body cameras on all police during public events * Use of rubber bullets, not live ones, at protests * Proper police training on human rights and calming tense situation Bridgit’s death must not be in vain,” she proposed.
Passaris expressed deep sorrow after attending the young girl’s memorial service.
“Bridgit is gone. We can’t bring her back. But if we care at all, things must change,” she stated.
“Bridgit’s death must not be in vain. The police must answer for their actions, and the state must answer for the system that allowed this to happen. Rest in peace, Bridgit.”
Death
According to Lucy Ngugi, Bridgit’s mother, the 12-year-old was fatally shot while seated with her family watching television at their home in Ndumberi, Kiambu County. It was just after 6:20 p.m. on July 7 when she heard a loud bang that tore through the house.
“We were just sitting inside the house with my daughter at around 6:20 p.m. when we suddenly heard a loud noise. I looked at her hand and noticed there was blood. I initially thought maybe something like a chair had cut her,” Lucy recalled during an emotional interview with a local TV station.
Adding;
“When I held her arm to examine the bleeding, she fell to the ground. I looked again and saw there was a hole in her head. That is when I screamed,” she said, holding back tears. “Her father was outside feeding chickens, and I called him in a panic.”