Via Dipesh at Sukuma – a comment left on his blog:
“I was there in person to witness our activist shot to dead . It was a shocking scenario that will never be erased from my mind.Six bullets in a somebody’s head ,reason …he is a threat to the police extrajudicial findings ,as a witness .Which Kenya do we stay if this happens in public ,after the government spokesman publicly announces that the oscar foundation are funding mungiki and an action will be taken to shun it down and indeed it was taken-a harsh one . Does it mean our activist have no say or we leave this country to the politicians and the police to rule us ,no that will be suicidal . Let us not tire from fighting for our rights.
Meanwhile, the vehicle of the activist was pushed to the university compound after a battle of hot suit between the students and police. The body of the activist was hidden in hall two for a half an hour after students decided to take it to Chiromo mortuary. The policemen intervened and retrived the body ,this is where another student was shot.Otherwise we hope things will change let this end the impunity.”
Not that it would in any way condone the killing, but were the victims connected in to Mungiki, as was charged?
I was beginning to see hope in and for Kenya recently, with Bunge, Sukuma, this blog, and others — some very principled, well-connected people, who are able to use “people power” and new technologies to work for change. I hope that these assassinations don’t stop this movement.
@Omozungu, they were not connected to Mungiki, except to the extent that they had been strong advocates against extra-judicial killings. The Kenyans who are supporting the Kwekwe / police death squads are misguided…yes Mungiki are a menace but you cannot cheer extra-judicial killings on one hand, yet complain about politicians who short-circuit the justice system on another. The justice system in Kenya is flawed, and unfortunately it is the poor and particularly young Kenyans who are bearing the brunt.
If anyone thinks that these executions will stop the march to a just society they are very mistaken. It only serves to strengthen our resolve.
Ory
Actually … the situation is worse than you’re stating. The killing of Mr King’ara and his associate was a blatant murder. There was no attempt at concealment. The people doing this are acting as if they have complete immunity from any kind of accountability – which could very well be the case. This is a very bad step downwards for Kenya.
But the students at the Univ. of Nairobi need to be congratulated for putting up resistance over this whole affair. Good for you, wanafunzi!!! At least someone is brave enough to take some action.
@Ory, Omozungu
That Kamau Kingara was connected to the Mungiki is not in doubt. Indeed, he confessed (on national radio) to having engineered countrywide protests by the Mungiki on Thursday March 5th. (link below)
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Local/Mungiki-protest-'organiser'-killed-3562.html
Transport was effectively paralyzed in many parts of the country.
@simbaMtu
Congratulate UoN students? My friend, I am one of them and I got to witness the whole thing up to and including the fatal shooting of Godwin Ogato (God rest his soul).
Reprimand would be more apt.
If the students (including young Ogato himself) had shown some restraint, it is likely he would still be alive today.
After the shooting and hasty exit of the executioners. A small, naturally – curious crowd gathered at the scene. By the time I got there they were pushing the car towards one of the entrances (after forcing the watchman(sic) to open a rarely used gate).
One of the car’s tire’s burst and I remember everyone running pell mell (the sound of gunfire fresh in our minds).
That was an omen if ever there was.
Godwin was the first back on the scene alerting everyone to the fact that it was a tyre burst.
Long story short, they managed to push the car halfway into the entrance of Hall 2 after which they dragged out the deceased and “hid” the body behind the same Hall at the bottom of a flight of stairs leading to a defunct storage room.
Not only did they TAMPER WITH EVIDENCE, but when the police showed up to retrieve the vehicle they were “greeted” with a hail of stones and assorted missiles – obstruction of justice if you will.
Of course the police reacted in their usual way by firing tear-gas canisters into the university and throwing stones back at the students!?!
At the end of it all, a policeman drew a pistol and shot Godwin.
Bank-star,
I am stunned at your casual narration of these events! This should go down in history as one of the most callous postings on the murder of a citizen. And you want credence because you are one of the students? You deserve only contempt my friend.