Thika: Friend of Slain College Student Recalls His Last Moments Before Death in Protests
- Victor Otieno, a 24-year-old Gen-Z and Thika college student, was shot dead during the June 25 protests in Juja
- His roommate and friend is now recounting his last moments alive, and narrating why Victor insisted on attending the protests
- He described seeing Victor's lifeless body on the ground, bleeding from the ears, before police resumed shooting during the demos
- Victor's father also broke his silence and explained the challenges he faced while trying to transfer his son's body
A friend and roommate of the Thika college student who died in the June 25 protests has recounted the last moments he spent with him after the tragedy.
Source: Facebook
Victor Otieno, a 24-year-old Gen-Z, was shot dead at the height of the protests in Juja, with his last photos and videos circulating widely.
His roommate, Samuel, narrated that they were watching the protests online when Victor suggested that they also join the protesters to exercise their right.
"I insisted that we continue watching them at home instead, but he said that it was our democratic right. I told him I would accompany him. We walked until we met with a group of protesters whom we joined," he recalled.
Samuel said they walked to Juja, in what he described as a jovial time for both of them, as they chatted and sang along with the other protesters.
How did Victor Otieno die in Juja?
Victor's friend recounted that while at Juja, there were running battles between the police and the demonstrators who were hurling stones.
"At around 5pm, police fired live bullets continuously to counter the stone-throwing demonstrators. Within a spur of a moment, I heard what sounded like a bang. I ran so fast because it sounded so near," he narrated.
This was the last time he saw Victor alive because amid that commotion, he was shot dead.
"I ran for a few moments, then, looking behind me, I could not see Victor. Looking further behind, I saw he had been shot dead. His body was sprawled on the ground, with blood oozing from his ears," he recounted.
He said the live bullets filled the air again, and he had to go and hide.
"I went back to check his body 30 minutes later. I had to snake my way to where he had been shot. On getting there, I didn't see his body. I was told his remains had been ferried to the DCI gate and I could not get there," he said.
Victor Odhiambo's father speaks
Victor Odhiambo's father also spoke to the media, painfully mourning his son, whom he said was his beacon of hope.
He narrated that his friends and family called him and asked whether he had heard about the tragic news of his son's death.
"I had received a call, but I could not understand what the other person was saying. Soon after, I got so many calls from friends and family, all of whom asked if I had heard the bad news," he painfully recounted.
Victor's father, Patrick, said that upon getting the news, he travelled from Bungoma to Nairobi.
"After arrival, I went to see his body at the morgue, and I confirmed that he was shot in the head. I wanted to transfer his body, but I was informed by the morgue attendants that I could not without talking to the OCS for a postmortem," he said.
Patrick said he was confused because he was told his son died while trying to invade the police station.
"However, if you check where my son was shot dead, it is far from the station," he narrated.
Despite talks with the OCS and officers from the DCI, he was informed that the body could only be released for burial after the postmortem.
Video of Thika student's last moments
In other news, TUKO.co.ke shared the heartwarming last photos and video of Victor, which showed his moments before death.
The video showed how Victor was keen on shielding himself with road bollards as tear gas and alleged live bullets filled the air during the protests in Juja.
In another photo, he was spotted walking with a lady, in the company of other protesters.
Juja Sub-County Police Commander Bernard Ngungu confirmed the death of the student, claiming that the deceased was one of the protesters trying to storm the Juja Police Station.
He claimed police did not shoot him as alleged.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
