The Githurai massacre occurred when President William Ruto ordered the Kenyan Defence Forces to shoot indiscreetly at the Githurai market, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people.
Following the protests against the rejected finance bill in parliament, President William Ruto accused his supporters of committing treason. In a nighttime speech at the statehouse, the president referred to his supporters as criminals.
According to sources, the shooting was intended to demonstrate to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he was powerless by taking the lives of his people. Mount Kenya is home to the majority of those killed.
Several human rights groups condemned the Tuesday night Githurai Massacre and now seek justice for the families of those killed.
President William Ruto termed the Tuesday, June 25 events treasonous and vowed an expeditious response.
Following his speech, the military unleashed a random shooting on the people of Githurai, resulting in the deaths of over 50 individuals who were from work, while others sustained gunshot wounds in their homes.
The incident has drawn comparisons to a fight in Gaza, according to sources. “I witnessed a mass shooting at Githurai today. I was almost a victim. Innocent people! Wah, I’ve never cried like that in my life. I was so scared, an eyewitness said.
“I was walking to Kahawa, since there were no matatus, when one of the defence guys from the barracks (they had parked their cars on the road) removed his gun and started firing aimlessly, and I watched as bodies dropped,” she added.
“I was wondering what those loud bangs were—tear gas, fireworks. I couldn’t have imagined they were bullets. Remember that Githurai came out in large numbers to support Ruto in his campaigns? While the military and police cleared the roadblocks, I witnessed the shooting in Githurai.”
Another victim, caught in the middle of the shooting, said, “In innocent lives, I might have been a victim.”
