The death of Julia Njoki, a woman arrested during the Saba Saba 2025 protests in Nanyuki, has ignited widespread public outrage and calls for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForJuliaNjoki trending across social media.
Njoki, detained on July 7 during the pro-democracy demonstrations, reportedly collapsed in custody at Nanyuki Police Station and died on July 10, allegedly due to head injuries sustained during or shortly after her arrest.
Her family and activists claim she was brutally beaten by police, leaving her unconscious, though official confirmation of these allegations remains pending.
The incident has intensified demands for accountability amid Kenya’s escalating unrest over police brutality, corruption, and economic challenges under President William Ruto’s administration.
According to sources, Njoki was remanded after a court set bail at 50,000 KES, an amount she could not afford. “Julia Njoki, remanded in Nanyuki after an unreasonable 50K bail, collapsed in custody after sustaining multiple head wounds following assault by police,” the post stated.
Her aunt described the ordeal: “The same people meant to protect her left her unconscious.” Njoki was rushed to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital but was pronounced dead.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has called for an urgent investigation, citing a pattern of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests during protests.
The Saba Saba protests, marking 35 years since the 1990 push for multiparty democracy, have seen Gen Z activists rally against the Finance Bill 2025 and systemic issues, with 16 deaths reported on June 25, per Amnesty International.
Njoki’s death, alongside cases like 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki, killed by a stray bullet in Kiambu, has fueled accusations of excessive police force.
People linked the death to that of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in custody in June 2025.
Human rights groups, including the International Justice Mission, are pressing for probes into protest-related deaths.
