NANYUKI, Kenya – A young woman has died under controversial circumstances while in police custody in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, sparking outrage over the continued use of excessive force by police during the Gen Z-led protests.
Julia Njoki, who was arrested on Monday, July 7, reportedly succumbed to multiple head injuries allegedly inflicted by officers while she was in detention.
According to her family, Njoki was remanded after failing to raise a KSh 50,000 bail following a court appearance the next day. That night, her condition deteriorated rapidly after what is being described as a brutal assault in the cells.
In a social media post, her aunt Grace Rene wrote:
“The same people who are meant to protect her left her unconscious. She was rushed to the hospital… 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.”
Njoki’s death has been linked by human rights advocates to the ongoing anti-government protests, where dozens of young Kenyans have been arrested, injured, or killed.
Renowned lawyer Paul Muite added his voice to the condemnation, describing her as “yet another innocent Gen Z life lost.”
“Her crime,” Muite posted, “was joining in peaceful protest calling for an end to stealing our tax money and borrowed loans, demanding accountability — and it will come.”
Julia Njoki,yet another innocent young Gen-Z life lost in Nanyuki,Police brutality in Police cells,her crime; joining in peaceful protest calling for an end to stealing our tax money & borrowed loans, demanding accountability AND IT WILL COME
Rights groups are now demanding an independent investigation into the events leading to Njoki’s death.
This incident comes amid growing scrutiny of Kenya’s police service over its handling of peaceful demonstrations, particularly following President William Ruto’s and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s controversial remarks authorizing force against protesters.
Police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, and efforts to get comment from Nanyuki officers were unsuccessful by the time of publication.
Julia’s death is one of several recent cases that have intensified calls for reform in the police service, as young Kenyans continue to push back against what they see as state-sanctioned violence and a failure of leadership.
