Disturbed mother demands justice after Nanyuki protests leave 17-year-old son dead
By Wanjira Wachira, June 11, 2026The family of 17-year-old Sylvester Muigai is demanding justice following his death during protests in Likii, Nanyuki, with relatives recounting a painful search that ended at a mortuary where his body was later identified.
Sylvester, a Form Three student, was said to have been shot during Tuesday’s demonstrations against a proposed Ebola quarantine facility.
His identity was initially unknown as authorities and residents sought to establish who he was. His body was later taken to the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary before his family confirmed his identity.
His mother, Lucy Kagure, said she searched for her son across multiple hospitals before being directed to the mortuary, where she made the heartbreaking discovery.
“I want justice for my child. I am a single mother with four children. I have nothing else but my children,” she said.
“I went to several hospitals, including the general hospital, but I was told my child was not there. Later I was told to go to the mortuary in Nanyuki, and that is where I found him,” she added tearfully.
Kagure described Sylvester as her first-born son and the family’s hope for the future, saying his death had left her devastated.
“I just want justice for my child,” she said.
Family recounts desperate search
Sylvester’s grandmother, Miriam Njoki, said the family spent days searching for him after he disappeared during the protests, hoping he would eventually return home safely.
“For days I went around asking his friends, but I could not find him. We kept hoping he would return home,” she said.
“When I went to the mortuary and saw him, I realised it was truly him. He was just a school-going child. A child who had no reason to be in that situation.”
Njoki said the family had urged him to avoid the demonstrations because of growing tensions in the area.
“We told him not to go near the protests, just to stay on the road to school. But now we are left in pain,” she said.
Sylvester’s aunt, Esther Wangui, also recalled the family’s anguish as they moved from one place to another searching for answers.
“We were looking for him everywhere. We went to his friends, we went to hospitals, we did not know where he was,” she said.
“When I finally saw him at the mortuary, I broke down. He was just a child. A child who should have been in school.”
Concerns over use of force
Wangui raised concerns over the level of force used during the demonstrations, saying residents, including children, had been affected by tear gas and unrest in residential areas.
“They are using too much force. They throw tear gas even in our homes. Children are crying, people are suffering,” she said.
“Even yesterday, tear gas was thrown near where I live. My chest was hurting. People are afraid because even when you try to run for safety, you don’t know what will happen next.”
She appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and help end recurring violence associated with protests.
“I want to tell President Ruto that he also has children. He should stop this situation because every time there are protests, people die,” she said.
IMLU calls for investigations
Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) representative Tonny Were said the organisation only became fully aware of the teenager’s identity after the family confirmed it, noting that some victims had initially remained unidentified.
He said investigations were necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the death.
“We really hope that investigative agencies, starting from the DCI and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, will step in and conduct proper investigations to conclusion and ensure perpetrators are held accountable,” he said.
Were added that IMLU had documented multiple casualties linked to the protests.
“So far, ever since the protests in Nanyuki began, we have documented two deaths and around six to seven injuries ranging from bullet wounds to soft tissue injuries,” he said.
“We have also documented 31 arrests, but I am glad the courts have been able to grant bail and release those individuals.”
The case comes amid concerns over casualties arising from the demonstrations against the proposed Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia County, with families and rights groups calling for accountability.
Sylvester’s family says its focus remains on securing justice for the teenager and ensuring a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Authorities had not issued a detailed statement on the incident by the time of publication.