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It turns retired that Julia Njoki, the 24-year-old pistillate from Nanyuki who died aft being arrested during the Saba Saba protests, was not conscionable different sanction connected a tragic list. She was the girl of Chief Martin Kariuki Rienye, the country main of Gwa Kung’u Location successful Laikipia County.
And arsenic a main and authorities servant, helium is expected to stay soundless and enactment loyal to the system. That means helium is gagged, nary media interviews oregon vocal demands for justice. But arsenic a father, helium is broken.
How did Julia Njoki Die?
Julia was arrested alongside different Saba Saba protesters connected July 7. But her father, Chief Martin Kariuki Rienye, told The Standard that she was simply heading location from enactment erstwhile constabulary picked her up successful Nanyuki town
That night, she was locked up astatine the Nanyuki Police Station. And the adjacent day, she was taken to tribunal and charged with malicious harm to property.
She denied the charges but could not rise the Ksh 50,000 currency bail, truthful she was remanded astatine Nanyuki Women’s Prison.
That aforesaid evening, conscionable a fewer hours aft being taken into custody, she began complaining of headaches, tummy pain, and dizziness. Prison authorities took her to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, but her information got worse. She was moved to Cottage Hospital, placed successful ICU, and underwent surgery. She died connected July 12.
Her household says the information is elemental and horrifying, Julia was beaten by a constabulary serviceman successful custody.
A preliminary aesculapian study shows she suffered blunt unit trauma to the head, injuries accordant with being violently assaulted.
But the authoritative effect truthful acold has been cold. The National Police Service says nary ceremonial ailment has been made yet. They assertion Julia was successful bully wellness erstwhile she appeared successful court. They person promised a “credible and transparent” investigation, but the household is not convinced.
On Monday, July 14, choler boiled implicit successful Nanyuki. Residents of Likkii Estate poured into the streets. They blocked roads with stones and burning tires, demanding answers. Protesters clashed with constabulary adjacent the aforesaid presumption wherever Julia had been held. Tear state filled the air. But the chants were louder: “We privation justness for Julia!”
Even schoolchildren and aged women stood by, watching. Some joined in. Her grandmother, Susan Kirigo, was among the crowd.
Meanwhile, Chief Kariuki remains caught betwixt his work to the government, and his grief arsenic a father. He is not allowed to talk out. Not allowed to outcry successful public. Not allowed to request justness for his ain daughter. His soundlessness speaks volumes.
By Vivian K.
The station JULIA NJOKI: CHIEF FATHER OF GIRL WHO DIED AFTER ARREST IS BEING SILENCED appeared archetypal connected BNN.
