Fresh details have come out about the painful death of 22-year-old Julia Wangui Njoki, a young protester linked to the recent Gen Z demonstrations. Julia died just days after being arrested, raising serious questions about what happened to her in custody.
Even though both the Kenya Prisons Service and Kenya Police Service have denied being involved in any wrongdoing, disturbing claims are now being shared by people who were locked up with her.
A resident of Nanyuki who spoke to Standard News said that fellow inmates claimed Julia was hit on the head with a baton by police officers while being held at the Nanyuki Police Station.
The inmates said she collapsed after the beating but later woke up and complained that she was feeling sick. However, they allege that the officers ignored her complaints and did not offer her any medical attention at that moment.
Dr. Chrisantus Makokha, the Head of Communications at the Kenya Prisons Service, confirmed that Julia was received at Nanyuki Women’s Prison on July 8 at around 5:20 p.m.
He said she was taken to the hospital later that night after saying she was unwell. During her time in prison, Julia is said to have revealed that she had been assaulted during the Saba Saba protests, although it is still not clear who exactly was responsible for the beating.
Her health became worse, and she was moved to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital at around 9:10 p.m.
She was then referred to Cottage Hospital the next day, where a CT scan showed that she had serious bleeding in her brain. Even after undergoing emergency surgery, Julia could not survive and died on the morning of July 12.
The police are still standing by their position, saying she was healthy when she was handed over to the prison officers and that she did not complain of anything during her appearance in court.
Meanwhile, her death is still under investigation, and many Kenyans are asking whether enough is being done to get justice for her.
Julia’s case is becoming a painful symbol of the risks young people face when standing up for their rights.
