A family in Mombasa is seeking justice for Emmanuel Giggs, 20, who died during the anti-Finance Bill protest on Tuesday.
Giggs was a second-year laboratory science student at Meru National Polytechnic who had gone home for fees when he died.
His father Paul Tata said the son was not participating in the protest. He was at Mwembe Tayari with friends heading home in Mikindani when a tear gas canister was fired at them.
“I was at work when I received a call that my son had fainted after inhaling a lot of teargas. He was rushed to AI Farooq Hospital but he was pronounced dead upon arrival,” he said.
Tata, a father of two, said the only thing he wanted for his first born and only son was justice.
"He was not among the demonstrators. He was just in town when the tear gas was fired at them. He never had any health issues,” said Tata tearfully.
Giggs reportedly inhaled a lot of smoke, which made him unable to breath and he fainted.
“My call to President William Ruto is to have a dialogue with young people. They have nothing to lose. As parents we are remaining behind with pain. Look at me, I have educated my son through hardship then I lose him at 20 years. I wish they killed me instead of my son,” Tata said.
He described his son as a disciplined child raised in religious ways and was his best friend.
Samson Nzamba, cousin of the deceased, said that they were at Mwembe Tayari when the police officers fired tear gas in their direction, causing Giggs to inhale large amounts of smoke.
“We walked with him few meters but he could not breath anymore, so he fainted. Before he collapsed, he told us the tear gas had filled his lungs and he could not breath anymore,” Nzamba said.
“I campaigned for this government. We mobilised the youth. This is a cry from the youths, open dialogue, open talks, don’t call us treasonous please, Mr President. We are your children, brothers, sisters and cousins. Kindly, call us to the table, enough of the violence.”
Giggs was expected to go back to college next month.
Zamba described the deceased as a humble person whom they all looked up to to support his parents after graduation.
He called upon well wishers and the county government to support the family that needs to raise Sh350,000 for the funeral.
“What we saw yesterday tore us apart. Our hearts are still bleeding because we did not expect the young life to leave us. He had a lot of potential,” Nzamba said.
He appealed to the government to listen to the young people because their agenda is about the future of the country.
Law Society of Kenya Coast region representative Elizabeth Wanjeri condoled with the family, saying it was unfortunate losing young people who have the future ahead of them.
“We are very saddened by this incident and what we are saying is that the government and its agencies should be very measured in the manner in which it is dealing with protesters who are largely peaceful and unarmed,” she said.
Wanjeri said it did not make sense using live bullets to people who are carrying flags and water bottles saying that it is high time for the government to address issues affecting Kenyans.
Mombasa human right defenders condemned the violence and called for thorough investigations.
Muslim for Human Rights executive director Khelef Khalifa described the death of Giggs as a very painful moment for the family.
“We are so saddened by what happened yesterday, losing a young soul, who was in college, for no apparent reason. A time has come for the police and the government to respect the value of life,” he said.