Shot KU Student Sends Defiant Message to Ruto Amid National Outrage
A Kenyatta University student who was shot in the neck during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi has issued a bold and defiant message to President William Ruto, accusing the government of orchestrating state-sponsored brutality against peaceful demonstrators.
Speaking from the gates of Kenyatta National Hospital while still in a green hospital gown, Philip Oketch, a senior student leader from Homa Bay, condemned what he described as unchecked police aggression. Surrounded by hundreds of his fellow students, Oketch challenged the president to rein in rogue officers and listen to the voices of Kenyan youth.
“Allow me to begin by sending a warning to the so-called Commander in Chief, the president of the Republic of Kenya, ‘Wantam’ William Ruto,” Oketch declared. “We are tired as the young people of this country. This country does not belong to anyone. This country belongs to our forefathers, the future generations and us.”
Oketch was critically injured on Tuesday, June 17, during a peaceful demonstration in Nairobi’s CBD. The protest was sparked by outrage over the alleged extrajudicial killing of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Popularly known as “Yudhe,” Oketch serves as the Chief of Staff for the Homa-Bay Universities Students’ Association (HUSA) and also chairs the Homa Bay Youths Forum. According to eyewitnesses, he was shot in the neck as he joined fellow students in demanding justice for Ojwang.
In his address, Oketch accused police officers of becoming a threat to the very citizens they are sworn to protect. “We want you to take good control of your robots in uniform. They’ve proven that they can be the burning problem towards unarmed, sober, and innocent citizens,” he said.
“No amount of threats will intimidate us. The streets belong to the people, and we will remain in the streets until you get out of power!” Oketch added defiantly.
The incident triggered a swift response from HUSA, which released a scathing statement condemning the shooting. “We strongly condemn this barbaric act by the police and call upon comrades across the nation to rise in unity and support our brother in this difficult time,” read the statement signed by HUSA President Ogolla Ray.
In a show of solidarity, the association called for a national mobilization of student comrades at Kenyatta National Hospital to stand with Oketch and strategize the next steps. “The time to deliberate on a strategic course of action is now,” the statement urged, invoking their rallying cry: “An injury to one comrade is an injury to all.”
The shooting of Oketch has added fuel to nationwide calls for police reforms, accountability, and respect for human rights as anger mounts over the growing number of incidents involving forceful suppression of youth-led protests.
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Shot KU Student Sends Defiant Message to Ruto Amid National Outrage