Family of student shot during Monday protests speaks: "He was our only hope"

• The family of the Kakamega student shot during Monday’s protests has broken its silence
• Speaking to NGBREAKINGNEWS, the family revealed that the deceased, Derrick Peter Machanje, was their only hope as he worked as a tuk-tuk driver while also being a student
• The family says they also have nowhere to bury him and are seeking government intervention to get justice for Derrick

The family of 22-year-old Sigalagala National Polytechnic student Derrick Peter Machanje, who was shot during Monday’s anti-fuel price hike protests, has spoken.

Led by his mother, Rodah Wairimo Shakira, the family says they are now devastated, having lost a young man who had a great future and would have elevated them from poverty if he were alive.

What did Derrick’s mother say about his shooting?

In an exclusive interview with NGBREAKINGNEWS, Wairimo said she has been raising her two children alone without their father and that Derrick assisted her in some duties.

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“I was called and told that my son had been shot; I did not believe that he was no more,” she said.

Wairimo revealed that she only had two sons whose father abandoned them while they were very young, and she has raised them at their home with her mother.

She added that her son has been the pillar of the family since he was a part-time tuk-tuk rider. The deceased was also a second-year student at the polytechnic, but he used to pay his school fees by himself.

“Sina shamba, ata sijui atazikwa wapi. Baba yao alipotea, sijui ako wapi; I live in their uncle’s house and for now am alone; my son is gone forever,” a devastated mother said.

How did family and friends describe Derrick?

The boys’ grandmother, Mary Atieno, told NGBREAKINGNEWS that she has been taking care of her two grandsons since their father disappeared, and he has never been known to date.

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Mary said that she received a call from Derrick’s friend informing her about the death of her grandson, but she doubted the news.

She revealed that the news caught her off guard since she was sick and had no energy to move quickly to confirm it.

“I was called, and I was not feeling well. I tried my best to reach where my daughter’s son was, but I did not find him. Later, I was directed to Kakamega Mortuary, where I found him already dead,” she said.

Selphine Indasi, a social worker at Victoria’s Children’s Home, where Derrick was living while in primary school, was also devastated when she heard about the death of Derrick.

She said he was a humble guy while in primary school, and they used to take care of him since his mother had mental issues.

She eulogised Derrick as a determined boy who was very bright in class but had no support.

Indasi alleged that the dead Derrick was shot in the head and he didn’t survive the gunshots, but the doctors hurriedly covered his head, which has raised serious concerns.

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“Walimpasua kichwa na hakuwa anakosea mtu; Derrick was a humble person, and we have lost a young man who would brighten his family’s future,” Indasi added.

The death of Derrick has left his friends in agony, calling the act by the police inhuman while asking the relevant authorities to offer justice since he was a student and a breadwinner.

Friends and fellow students, led by Joseph, praised Derrick for his hard work and perspectives. He said he was told the news of Derrick’s being sick.

Joseph alleged that they were close friends, and he was like his brother until his demise.

“When I received the news, I was sick, and now my sickness has increased. I am unable to accept the death of Derrick,” Joseph said.

Shirleyn Wanga, his fellow student from Sigalagala National Polytechnic, also raised concerns over the death of her fellow student, Derrick.

She said she knew her friend as a neighbour and friend who loved peace and worked tirelessly to elevate his family from a poor background.

“I lost a great friend; we grew together, and suddenly his life was cut short by a bullet. Let him rest in peace,” she added.

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Derrick’s family is now in a dilemma; they don’t know where to go about burying him since he lived in their uncle’s compound. His father has never been known since his birth.

The family is now asking the authorities to arrest the police officers who shot their kin for peace to prevail as they begin preparations for his final send-off.

“Hatuna ata pa kumzika; tunaomba haki. We have reported to IPOA, and we are waiting for the arrest of the shooter. We don’t have a lad to bury him, but God will comfort us,” Mary Atieno said.

_Additional reporting by Rasto Wamalwa, NGBREAKINGNEWS correspondent, Kakamega County_

Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS