Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris has called for a “ceasefire” following the death of Julia Njoki, who was reported dead a day after she was arrested on Monday, July 7, during the Saba Saba protests and taken to Nanyuki Police Station.
In a statement, Passaris assured Kenyans that her Laikikipia County counterpart is following up on the case and called for an end to the demonstrations, saying the country “cannot keep turning people into hashtags.”
“Julia Njoki is gone, and nothing can bring her back. I know the Woman Rep of Laikipia, Hon. Jane Kagiri, is following up, and like many of you, I await a statement from NPS, IG NPS, and DCI. Justice delayed is justice denied,” she said. “We cannot keep turning people into hashtags. We must heed the call of the church. We need healing. We need peace. We need a plan. Stop the rallies. Stop the demos.”
Families claims
Njoki’s aunt, Grace Rene, announced her death on social media, claiming she was brutally beaten by police officers before leaving her unconscious.
“On Monday, 7th July, my niece Julie was arrested in Nanyuki—a town I once thought was peaceful. The next day, she was taken to court, and judgment was passed. That same night, in police custody, she was brutally beaten. The same people who are meant to protect her left her unconscious,” Rene wrote.
According to the family, Julie was rushed to the hospital, where medical reports revealed she had suffered a head injury and internal bleeding.
They further claimed that despite her critical condition, Njoki was not accorded healthcare in due time.
“She was rushed to the hospital, and the truth was concealed. We pushed for tests. What we found out broke us: she had been hit in the head and was bleeding internally. This critical condition was met with delays, carelessness, and silence. By the time real help came, it was too late.”
Njoki’s death sparked outrage among Kenyans, who are still devastated by the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody in Central Police Station, Nairobi.
