Jocinta Anyango, the mother of Kennedy Onyango, a 12-year-old boy who was killed during the 2024 anti-government protests, has spoken out, revealing how President William Ruto made her promises that have not been fulfilled.
Speaking during the interdenominational prayers for victims of the protest on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the All saints Cathedral, she revealed that Dennis Itumbi, the Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, called her shortly after her son’s death.
Itumbi, she recounted, told her that President Ruto himself wanted to speak to her and promised to set up an in-person meeting.
Jocinta also said that the president promised her financial support that never materialised.
“He told me the President would call me for a meeting and promised to ensure justice would be served for my son. He also said I would be supported as a grieving parent,” she said.
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In tears, the mother said she has never been called back, and no formal investigation or report has been shared with the family regarding her son’s death.
“It’s been one full year. Nothing has been done. All those promises we were given, none have been kept,” she added.
Kennedy Onyango’s Mother Pleads With Ruto and Wanga
Jocinta added that she comes from Homa Bay County, yet she has remained unnoticed while others like the families of the late MP Ong’ondo Were and the late Albert Ojwang, have been supported.
She added that even with influential women leaders like Governor Gladys Wanga and Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, she feels abandoned in her grief.
“I have great women leaders from the county, from the Governor Gladys Wanga, MP Millie Odhiambo, yet no one has held my hand through this grief.
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“Mr. President, if you have any humanity, help us as parents. I know that my son cannot come back, but help us through this grief,” she added.
Kennedy is one of several young people who lost their lives during the 2024 nationwide protests, where police officers used excessive force leading to the fatal shooting of civilians.
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