Kennedy Onyango: Tragic Death and Legal Proceedings

Background

On the afternoon of July 5, 2024, 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango was fatally shot during anti-government protests in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County. Kennedy had stepped out to collect a book from a friend when he was caught in the crossfire between protesters and police. Eyewitnesses reported that he was shot multiple times by officers using live ammunition to disperse the crowd. His death sparked outrage and calls for justice from the public and human rights organizations. :contentReference

Legal Proceedings

As of July 2025, there have been no public reports of formal charges or legal actions taken against the officers involved in Kennedy Onyango's death. The incident remains under investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), but no updates have been provided regarding the progress or outcomes of the investigation.

Public Reaction

The killing of Kennedy Onyango has drawn widespread condemnation from various sectors of Kenyan society. Human rights organizations have criticized the excessive use of force by police during the protests, highlighting the vulnerability of children caught in such situations. The incident has reignited debates about police accountability and the need for reforms in law enforcement practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Timeline Summary

Date	Event
July 5, 2024	Kennedy Onyango shot during anti-government protests in Ongata Rongai
July 2024	Public outcry and calls for justice following Kennedy's death
July 2025	Ongoing investigation by IPOA; no formal charges reported

“My son is not resting in peace”: 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango’s parents share their pain exactly one year after his death https://www.tv47.digital/my-son-is-not-resting-in-peace-12-year-old-kennedy-onyangos-parents-share-their-pain-exactly-one-year-after-his-death-107079/

Government Reactions After Kennedy Onyango’s Death in Rongai

1. President William Ruto’s Explanation

Following the fatal shooting of 12‑year‑old Kennedy Onyango on **June 27, 2024**, President Ruto made several public remarks to clarify the incident:

During an **X Space session on July 5, 2024**, he stated:

“Kennedy Onyango was shot by a criminal who snatched a gun from an officer and started shooting indiscriminately.”

 He insisted the photos of a boy shot eight times were from a different event, and only one shot was fired in Rongai.^[1]^[2]

He later acknowledged, during the same session:

“I will make sure that, like myself who have children, her child can be accounted for.”

 But Kennedy’s mother, Jacinta Anyango, said she never received the promised follow‑up contact.^[3]

2. Reaction from Kennedy’s Family

His mother, Jacinta Anyango, expressed deep disappointment: she described how a well-attended phone line with State House ended with **no further contact**, remarking:

 > “To this day… he has not done that.”^[4]

In her grief, she emphasized that **justice had not been served**, and that all she had was “the post‑mortem report and the grave of my son as evidence.”^[5]

3. Calls for Justice from Legal Figures

**Retired Chief Justice David Maraga**, speaking in February 2025, stated:

“We are in a civilized state… there should be nobody who should be killed simply because they have demonstrated… If there is any offence… those ones should be charged in court. ... Not anyone just being shot and killed or even maimed without due process.”

 His remarks followed Jacinta Anyango’s appeal for legal progress in Kennedy’s case.^[6]^[7]

4. Police & Oversight Authority Response

The **Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)** formally opened an investigation into the shooting.
President Ruto encouraged public reporting of such incidents to **IPOA** or the **Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)**.^[8]

Summary Table

Speaker	Statement	Date	Source
President Ruto	“Shot by a criminal who snatched a gun…”	July 5, 2024	Citizen Digital
President Ruto	“I will make sure… her child can be accounted for.”	July 5, 2024	Citizen Digital
Jacinta Anyango	“To this day… he has not done that.”	July 2024	Tuko
Retired CJ Maraga	“We are in a civilized state…not just killed…”	Feb 28, 2025	AfrinewsKE

Sources and more details

[1] Citizen Digital – “Kennedy Onyango was shot by a criminal…”

[2] ‘That is not true’—Ruto says photos… misleading – People Daily

[3] Mother says Ruto never followed up – Tuko

[4] Mother says Ruto never followed up – Tuko

[5] Retired CJ Maraga demands action; mother laments IPOA's slow handling

[6] Retired CJ Maraga demands action – AfrinewsKE

[7] Same source – Anyango’s request for further evidence

[8] Activists condemn Ruto; IPOA asked to probe Rongai incident – Standard Media

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