James Gachara
James Gachara
James Gachara (c. 2001 – 7 July 2025) was a 23-year-old Kenyan protester who was shot and killed during the 2025 Saba Saba Protests in Nanyuki, Kenya. He was a Form 3 student and the son of a serving officer in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (Kenya).
Death
On 7 July 2025, Gachara was shot during anti-government demonstrations in the Likii Estate area of Nanyuki. He was taken to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries later that day.[1]
A postmortem conducted days later revealed that he died from excessive internal bleeding caused by a gunshot wound to the pelvic region that severed major blood vessels.[2]
Burial and Government Interference
Gachara was buried in Meru County in mid-July 2025. Attempts were reportedly made by the DCI, where his father worked, to restrict the funeral program by limiting who could speak during the burial ceremony. The plan was to allow only close family to make speeches.[3]
However, church leaders and human rights defenders resisted the move. A local Catholic priest, Father Roy Mwiti, allowed space for civil society to speak. Human rights activist Joyce Wangui criticized police brutality and emphasized that "those who gave the shoot-to-kill orders must be held accountable."[3]
Father Mwiti stated:
“The gun should be used on criminals and not on innocent citizens exercising their rights.”
Photos from the burial show a large turnout of mourners, with youth groups and human rights organizations in attendance.
Public and Legal Response
Gachara's death drew condemnation from local and international rights groups. His killing was cited in a wider call for accountability for the deaths of over 30 people reportedly killed by police during the June–July 2025 protests.[4]
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is reportedly investigating the circumstances of his death, though no formal arrests or disciplinary actions had been confirmed as of mid-July 2025.
See also
- 2025 Kenyan protests
- Police brutality in Kenya
- Saba Saba Day
- Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Kenya)
References
- ↑ "James Gachara: Details Show Form 3 Student Shot During Saba Saba Protests Was Son of DCI Officer", Tuko News, 10 July 2025
- ↑ "Autopsy reveals James Gachara died of excessive bleeding caused by bullet wound", K24, 11 July 2025
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "DCI officer’s effort to control speeches at protest victim’s burial falls flat", NTV Kenya, 15 July 2025
- ↑ "Family of DCI Officer's Son Killed in Saba Saba Protests Appeals for Support", Kenyans.co.ke, 13 July 2025