KENYA: Julia Njoki Dies In Police Custody Following Arrest During Saba Saba Protests 

     By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

A family is grappling with grief and outrage following the death of 32-year-old Julia Njoki, who passed away while in police custody after her arrest during the Saba Saba protests on Monday 7,2025.

Julia was taken to Nanyuki Police Station, pending arraignment in court the following day.

In a poignant statement shared on her Facebook page, Julia’s aunt, Grace Rene, revealed the harrowing details surrounding her niece’s treatment after the arrest. Grace claimed that Julia was brutally beaten by police officers at the station on the very same day she was arraigned.

“I’m devastated ! I’m mad!

On Monday, 7th July, my niece Julie was arrested in Nanyuki — a town I once thought was peaceful. The next day she was taken to court and judgment was passed. That same night, in police custody, she was brutally beaten. The same people who are meant to protect her left her unconscious” ,She said.

“She was rushed to the hospital, and the truth was concealed. We pushed for tests. What we found out broke us: she had been hit in the head and was bleeding internally.”

“This critical condition was met with delays, carelessness, and silence. By the time real help came — it was too late,” she added.

“I’m broken. I’m angry. I’m grieving.

How do you jail a Gen Z on Monday and report them dead by Wednesday? How are we supposed to trust a system that kills the very people it’s meant to protect?” She said.

This shocking revelation has fueled public anger and raised questions about the conduct of law enforcement officials during protests.

Witnesses have recounted how Julia was apprehended amid a wave of demonstrations calling for government accountability and reforms. As protesters gathered in various towns across the country for the Saba Saba rallies, many individuals, including Julia, were taken into custody.

Her family was anxiously awaiting her hearing, only to be devastated by the news of her death shortly after she was taken into police custody.

Tragically, Julia’s death comes on the heels of another shocking incident the death of Albert Ojwang, a young man who also died while in police custody.

The circumstances surrounding both deaths have drawn widespread condemnation and calls for urgent police reforms.

As calls for justice grow louder, local activists and community leaders are organizing a demonstration to honor Julia Njoki and highlight the need for accountability in cases of police brutality.

The Nanyuki police have stated they are investigating the claims made by Julia’s family and the circumstances of her death. As the community mourns the loss of a beloved member, the fight for justice continues, with many hoping that this tragic event will serve as a catalyst for change.