One year since 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango was fatally shot during the anti-Finance Bill protests of 2024, his mother, Jacinta Anyango, is still grappling with the grief of losing a boy whose dream was to one day become a world-class artist.
Speaking during an interdenominational prayer service at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Sunday, Mama Jacinta delivered an emotional tribute to her son, recounting his hopes, talents, and the devastating silence from authorities since his death.
“Kennedy was an artist. He told me his drawings would build me a house and care for his siblings, who suffer from sickle cell anaemia,” she said, holding back tears.
She recalled how Kennedy had recently completed a drawing of a mosque and was planning to gift it to the local Muslim community, hoping they would help pay rent for their struggling family.
“Mtoto wangu alikuwa anachora… ndoto yake haikuwa kuwa kwa serikali, alitaka kwenda America kupitia sanaa yake,” she added. “My child just wanted to draw. That was his dream.”
Kennedy was one of the youngest casualties in the nationwide protests that rocked Kenya last year. He was struck by a police bullet near their home in Nairobi as demonstrations turned deadly.
Jacinta also revealed that President William Ruto personally called her in the days following Kennedy’s death, promising justice.
“He said he felt the pain as a parent. He promised justice. But it’s been a year — and nothing has happened.”
The mother’s anguish echoed the mood at the service, organized under the “Lest We Forget June 25” banner, which drew faith leaders, families of victims, and civil society groups.
Parents of other slain youth also expressed their disillusionment over what they called neglect by elected leaders.
“No politician has stood with us,” said another bereaved parent. “We are grieving alone.”
The memorial comes ahead of planned demonstrations on June 25, marking the first anniversary of the deadly protests that claimed the lives of over a dozen young Kenyans, including Kennedy.
Faith leaders have called for truth, justice, and national healing, warning that continued inaction over police brutality will only deepen public anger and mistrust.
For Mama Jacinta, the message is simple.
“Sina ombi lingine,” she said. “I just want justice for my son.”
