Two Nairobi families are seeking justice following the deaths of their sons, who were allegedly attacked during the Linda Mwananchi rally on Sunday, September 13, in what relatives have described as a brutal and unprovoked assault.
Brandon Ong’or, 19, and Joseph Shuku, 23, reportedly left their respective homes that morning with friends to attend the politically charged gathering, unaware that they would not return alive.
By the end of the day, both young men were dead, with their remains taken to a Nairobi funeral home and recorded as victims of mob justice.
Brandon had informed his family that he was going to the rally. His mother, Hellen Ong’or, later identified his body at the funeral home, where she broke down while recounting the circumstances surrounding her son’s death.
“I just identified the body, and found that it’s my son; they killed my son, they beat him up, and that is how he has left me; he is dead,” she said. “A good boy who speaks a little; he was supposed to be joining college.”
Her account described Brandon as a reserved young man with plans to further his education, making his death an especially painful loss for his family.
The family of Joseph Shuku was similarly left devastated after learning of his death and seeing his body. Evans Okot, who accompanied Shuku on the day of the rally, recounted how events allegedly spiralled into violence as they travelled from Dawn towards the gathering along the road.
Okot alleged that Shuku was confronted by a man armed with a panga during the chaos. He said members of a matatu crew stepped in and managed to get him to safety, but Shuku was not so fortunate.
By the time Okot discovered what had happened to his friend, Shuku was already dead. According to his account, the 23-year-old was allegedly thrown from a bridge during the attack, sustaining injuries that proved fatal.
The Nairobi Funeral Home confirmed that three bodies were taken to the facility following the rally, with all three reportedly registered as victims of mob justice.
The families insist that Brandon and Shuku attended the rally peacefully and were accompanied by friends who were present when the alleged attacks occurred. They are now urging the authorities to investigate the deaths thoroughly and ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice.
