Nairobi Mum Still Searching for Son a Year after Gen Z Protests: "Sina Matumaini"
- A Nairobi mother, Alice Wambui, is still searching for her son, Peter Macharia, who went missing during the 2024 Gen Z protests
- Since her son’s disappearance, Wambui said life has never been the same, she lost her job and struggles to fend for her other children
- Kenya National Commission on Human Rights assistant director Martin Pepela said they are working to help families find missing loved ones, dead or alive
A family in Nairobi remains in agony as they continue to search for their missing son, one year after the 2024 Gen Z protests.
Source: Facebook
Peter Macharia left home on the fateful June 25, 2024 to join fellow young people in the streets of Nairobi, demonstrating against the Finance Bill 2024.
However, the 27-year-old man never returned home, leaving his mother, Alice Wambui, in distress.
"We waited for him until nightfall, but he didn’t return home. We went to the City Mortuary with my friends, but we didn’t find him. They told us to go look for him at Kenyatta National Hospital," stated Wambui.
Was Peter Macharia treated at Kenyatta National Hospital?
The devastated mother noted that at first, it was a back-and-forth, as they were also told to go back to the City Mortuary when they arrived at Kenyatta National Hospital.
While at the hospital, Wambui was shown papers indicating that Peter had been treated for gunshot wounds and discharged.
"They said he had a minor gunshot wound and that it was a 27-year-old man. Upon inquiring further, they said they were not allowed to reveal more information," said Wambui.
Struggling to find her beloved son, Wambui has spent every day since June 25, 2024 searching for Peter.
"I have lost hope because even on that day, we all fell ill in the house," she stated.
She lost her job and can no longer effectively care for her family.
On the first day of Peter’s disappearance, Wambui, who was working as a caretaker in a Nairobi estate, used part of the rent money she had collected for her landlord to cater to her travel expenses around town. This led to her dismissal.
"There are no jobs. I wake up early every morning to look for work. Sometimes I get something, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I get jobs that last two or three days. It’s not enough because after feeding the family, I can’t even afford to pay rent," she said.
Nairobi mum's plea to President Ruto
Wambui further said she would rather be told her son was dead so she could find peace, instead of enduring the constant worry and search.
She pleaded with President William Ruto to help locate her son, noting that if Peter had been abducted, those responsible should release him and allow him to return home.
Source: Youtube
What did the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights say?
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) Assistant Director, Martin Pepela, noted that they are working to ensure families find their loved ones—dead or alive—for the sake of closure.
“It is the only form of justice for a family, even if it is difficult to execute,” noted Pepela.
He stated that there has been a troubling rise in abduction cases and disappearances, raising serious concerns about state actors allegedly using unmarked cars and hooded personnel to target young people.
“We know very well that there is an optional protocol when it comes to enforced disappearances, and the Commission believes that if Kenya ratifies it, it may help bring awareness to security agencies and the public about the seriousness of this issue as one of the greatest violations of human rights,” he added.
Nairobi family searches for son who disappeared a year ago
In other news, TUKO.co.ke reported that the family of Emmanuel Mukuria gathered at the AIC Kisaine in Mlolongo to pray for his return.
Mukuria was among 17 youths who disappeared during the peak of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests and have never been found.
His devastated mother, Susan Wangechi, said he was booked at Industrial Area Prison under the name Kevin, but she has never been able to locate him.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
