The small town of Ndumberi in Kiambu County was gripped by emotion as mourners gathered to bid farewell to Bridget Njoki, the 12-year-old girl who lost her life after being struck by a stray police bullet during the Saba Saba protests. Her funeral drew relatives, local leaders, and members of the public in a powerful show of grief and solidarity.
Highlights:
- Bridget Njoki, 12, was killed by a stray bullet during Saba Saba protests
- She was laid to rest on Tuesday in Ndumberi, Kiambu County
- The funeral was attended by family, local leaders, and community members
- Calls for justice and police accountability echoed during the ceremony
Main Story:
Tears and heartbreak marked the burial of Bridget Njoki, the young girl whose life was cut short by a stray bullet allegedly fired by police officers trying to disperse demonstrators during the Saba Saba protests. The incident occurred while Bridget was inside her home, far from the chaos on the streets.
On Tuesday, the quiet town of Ndumberi fell silent as mourners gathered for her final send-off. The service was a mix of sorrow, prayers, and reflection as community members expressed outrage and despair over a tragedy that has reignited calls for police reform and accountability.
Local leaders who spoke during the funeral condemned the incident and demanded a thorough investigation into the use of live bullets during public demonstrations. They echoed the community’s cry for justice, urging the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to act swiftly and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“This is not just about one child. It’s about every Kenyan’s right to safety, even inside their home,” one speaker stated.
Bridget was described as a cheerful, intelligent girl with a bright future ahead of her. Her family, visibly broken by the loss, thanked those who stood by them through the painful period and called for peaceful activism that doesn’t put innocent lives at risk.
Her death adds to a growing list of civilian casualties during recent protests across the country, intensifying national conversations on police conduct and the protection of minors.
When a child is lost to violence in her own home, it forces a nation to ask: who is protecting the innocent?
