Nyeri Dad Emotionally Speaks after Son is Killed by Stray Bullet While Working Out in Gym
- Kenneth Ouma, a young man from Karatina in Nyeri county, was tragically killed by a stray bullet while working out at a Gym on June 25
- Levis Adaki, a gym trainer and colleague, described the harrowing moment he saw Ouma holding his neck as he bled out on the gym floor
- Ouma’s father, Patrick Wafula, was devastated by the loss and shared how much he had hoped for a future with his son
A family in Karatina, Nyeri county, is grief-stricken following the tragic death of their son, Kenneth Ouma, who was killed during the June 25 Gen Z memorial protests.
Source: Youtube
What happened to Kenneth Ouma?
Ouma was working out at Power House Gym in the town when a stray bullet pierced through one of the windows and struck him in the neck.
The young man, who was far from the front line of the demonstrations, died on the spot as a result of the gunshot.
Speaking in a report by Citizen TV, Levis Adaki, one of the gym trainers, recalled the horrific moment his colleague was killed.
Levis noted that they heard gunshots, and some bullets pierced through into the gym, prompting them to lie on the floor.
“By the time I was alerting him to lie down on the floor, it was already too late. He had been shot and was holding his neck,” he stated.
What did Kenneth Ouma’s dad say?
Ouma’s devastated father, Patrick Wafula, emotionally shared his immense loss, noting that he had very high hopes for his son.
“It is very painful. My son had just cleared school, and this was his first job, which he had only been in for barely two months — and now he is gone,” stated Wafula.
The heartbroken dad demanded justice, saying there was no need for a post-mortem as his son had clearly succumbed to the gunshot wound.
“It is very clear he died because he was shot. The bullet was there, and even the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) confirmed this. So why would I do a post-mortem?” he shared.
Source: Youtube
How many people died in June 25 Gen Z memorial protests?
As of June 27, the toll of people who lost their lives as a result of the June 25 demonstrations had risen to 15.
According to a statement by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), more than 60 people had been arrested and booked at various police stations, although there were reports that some arrests had not been officially recorded.
Moreover, families whose kin had gone missing flocked to Nairobi’s City Mortuary to identify the bodies of loved ones that had been moved to the facility.
Signs to look out for in a parent needing psychological help
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, psychologist Jedida Wafula shared that losing a child abruptly can send a parent into an emotional lock.
She stated that a case like Kenneth’s was even more painful because the parents had seen hope through him, he had finished school and secured a job.
Such parents, she said, may need therapy to help them cope with their grief and could display signs of emotional distress.
“They may show uncontrolled anger or aggression, talk about wanting to die or join their child, and some may turn to substance abuse, among other behaviours. So, therapy is highly recommended. Still, people handle grief differently, so you cannot be certain until you sit down and assess them,” she shared.
What happened to Stima Plaza security guard?
In other tragic news, TUKO.co.ke reported that a security guard at Kenya Power and Lighting Company’s (KPLC) Stima Plaza was shot dead at the height of the June 25 protests.
Fred Wamale was not part of the demonstrations and had only reported to work as usual when a stray bullet struck him in the stomach.
Chilling images of him lying on the staircase at his post circulated on social media, sparking outrage and grief.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
