A Kibera family is in mourning following the death of their newborn, who allegedly died after teargas was thrown into their home.
The effects of teargas lobbed into their homes were too much for the women who were captured on camera walking towards policemen with their arms raised in surrender on Thursday, forcing them to call a truce between the police and demonstrators.
Joyce Kemunto is a woman in agony, her newborn is no more and the body is lying at City Mortuary.
“Precious hata nilikuwa hata sijampiga picha,” she said amid tears.
Precious was full of life before the protests on Thursday, but things changed when police fired tear gas into the air.
“Vile ilirushwa huko kwa mabati ikaanguka ndani ya nyumba watoto wakaanza kulia. Nikampanguza na maji, nikaona ako poa lakini alikuwa bado analialia,” Kemunto explained.
Joyce hoped that her first-aid efforts would mitigate the effects of the teargas, but her baby’s health deteriorated later that evening.
“Mtoto ikafika usiku akaanza kutoa mapofu kwa mapua, ndio ameaga hivyo.”
On Friday, the Mathare area remained calm, a far cry from the scenes on Thursday that forced women to come out of their homes, arms raised in surrender after the effects of teargas forced them out.
On Friday, Mathare area remained peaceful following a far cry from Thursday’s scenes that forced women to come out of their homes, their arms raised in surrender after the effects of teargas forced them out.“Mimi nilikuwa nimelala hapa na mtoto ndio moshi ikajaa. Niliona kama inaniuma niko na mtoto ana wiki moja nikaona heri niuawawe juu ya watoto,” Rose Akinyi explained.
Rose’s granddaughter is one of many caught up in a political duel they know nothing about. Teargas intended to quell protestors hitting the wrong target.
Rose’s granddaughter is one of many people caught up in a political battle they have no idea about. Teargas intended to disperse protesters struck the wrong target.
“Mimi nilikuwa kwa nyumba na watoto, teargas ikarushwa ikaingia. Mwanamme aliyekuwa hapa akajaribu kupitia nje kuishika lakini ikateleza, ikalipuka ndio ikaumiza motto,” Priscillah Aoko another resident said.
Soot is seen on the floor and on a partially burnt basin, and bandaged wounds of the children who sought safety in this home are a painful reminder that the ongoing political chest-thumping will only end in tears if not dealt with decisively.
For many of the residents in Mathare, the protests are a way to express themselves but now, the effects on their children have made them call on those involved, to re-think their strategy.
