A young man from Juja, Kiambu County, has died after being shot in the head while watching the deadly June 25 Gen Z protests from the rooftop of his home.
Ian Muhindi was reportedly observing the demonstrations peacefully when a bullet struck him. He fell from the rooftop to the ground, suffering serious injuries.
His friend immediately took the keys to Ian’s new car, a white Mercedes-Benz, and rushed him to the hospital.
On their way to Avenue Hospital in Thika, they encountered angry protesters near Witeithie who hurled stones at the vehicle. Eventually, the crowd let them pass.
Once at Avenue Hospital, Muhindi was referred to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) due to the severity of his injuries.
However, the family was reportedly delayed further after Juja Police Station refused to issue an OB number, documentation that doctors needed before they could perform surgery to remove the bullet.
Despite efforts to save him, Ian died while receiving treatment at KUTRRH.
Human rights activist Derrick Mbugua, who shared the story on Facebook, described the shooting as avoidable. He noted Ian had been bleeding heavily since the incident and had not received urgent care in time.
Images shared online suggest Ian had recently purchased a white Mercedes-Benz, a sign of progress that made his sudden death even more painful for friends and family.
The incident has sparked anger and mourning online. Many Kenyans expressed frustration over police violence and medical delays during protests.
“A young life, full of promise, cut short by a stray bullet and a failed system,” one commenter wrote. “This should never have happened. And it must never be normalized.”
Others cautioned Kenyans to stay away from balconies or rooftops during demonstrations, fearing that anyone visible could become a target.
Ian Muhindi is one of several Kenyans who lost their lives during the June 25 protests, reigniting national conversations around police brutality, accountability, and citizen safety.
By Vivian K.