Joseph Karanja: Boda Boda Rider Who Rescued Protest Victims Reportedly Abducted
- Joseph Karanja, a bodaboda rider who helped injured protesters during the June 25 demos, has reportedly been abducted by unknown individuals
- Karanja assisted a woman severely injured by a tear gas canister near the GPO, rushing her towards medical help before an ambulance took over
- In his last known messages, Karanja expressed fear for his safety, revealing he was picked up at his gate immediately he reached home
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Nairobi: The aftermath of the nationwide Gen Z-led protests on June 25 has left many families in distress.
Source: Twitter
Reports indicate that at least 11 people lost their lives while several others sustained serious injuries, most allegedly caused by police brutality.
In addition to the fatalities and injuries, some Kenyans have also been reported missing following the chaotic demonstrations.
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Among those reported missing is Joseph Karanja, a bodaboda operator who had been assisting injured protesters in Nairobi's Central Business District.
Karanja is said to have played a key role in rushing victims to safety during the height of the demonstrations.
In one harrowing account, Karanja recounted helping a woman who was struck in the face by a tear gas canister near the GPO area.
The impact left her with a gaping hole in her cheek and knocked out several of her teeth. Karanja quickly moved to get her medical help and was able to hand her over to an ambulance en route to the hospital.
Who abducted Joseph Karanja?
However, just hours later, at around 1.30am, Karanja was reportedly picked up by unknown individuals driving a grey Subaru without number plates.
In a distressing message sent to a friend, he wrote:
“Hello friend, I am not safe. I have been taken and I do not know these people. I think they have been following up.”
In another WhatsApp message, Karanja revealed that he had been seized at the gate to his home immediately upon dismounting from his motorbike.
“The car has no number plate, and they are threatening to take our phones. We are about five,” he stated.
Source: Twitter
His disappearance has sparked public outcry, with Kenyans taking to social media to demand answers and call for his immediate release.
@k_3tchuup
"What is it with these people? Even assisting the injured gets you taken away?"
@asscraque
"Does anyone know how we can help more practically, because retweeting is not doing much?"
@blockxs
"Hope they find him safe."
Odukhula Johnstone
"Probably, he can be a key eyewitness to the brutal state response yesterday, and his disappearance benefits the perpetrators."
Everlyne Eve
"So what was wrong with saving a life? This government is too much."
What else should you know about the June 25 protests?
- The Communications Authority of Kenya ordered all media houses to stop live coverage of the protests
- Eldoret Gen Z protesters confronted the police after noticing a group of baton-wielding anti-demo group
- Some protesters set the Kikuyu Law Courts on fire and vandalised sub-county offices
Kenya Power security guard shot dead at Stima Plaza
Meanwhile, Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, a Hatari Security employee stationed at Stima Plaza, was on duty at the Kolobot Road entrance when he was shot.
He was rushed to Mama Lucy Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to a witness, chaos had erupted as police fired live bullets and tear gas indiscriminately, causing panic and screams as people fled toward Ngara.
A Law student at Mount Kenya University, Parklands Campus, which is metres away from Stima Plaza, was also shot and left in a critical condition.
Mike Duncun was in company with other protesters within Nairobi CBD when he was shot at several times. He was attended to by the emergency team on the ground before he was transferred to Jomo Kenyatta National Hospital (KHN), where he is still undergoing treatment.
Initial reports indicated that Duncun, who is also the current Mr MKU, had four visible gunshot wounds on his body.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 11 people were killed and over 400 were injured during the chaotic and deadly demonstrations that were meant to be peaceful processions in remembrance of 60 Kenyans who were killed during the June 25, 2024, Anti-Finance Bill protests.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
