Mother to slain teenager pays emotional tribute at Shujaaz memorial concert

Hundreds of Nakuru residents turned up for the Shujaaz memorial concert at Nyayo gardens to mourn and celebrate those whose died from police brutality during the countrywide anti-government protests.

In their honour, names of the 60 people were displayed on the screen as the concert started.

In true Nakuru style, the crowd synced with the artists on stage.

From singing along to dancing together they showed togetherness of a people fed up with the political class and police brutality.

Kenyan flags up alongside a rose is how they showed their love for the departed, calling out their names so they may never be forgotten.

However, the concert toned down when the mother to 17 year-old Austin Onyisa went on stage.

Dressed in a black dress and hat, she draped her dress with a Kenya flag from her shoulders down and her son’s photo in hand.

You could tell she was moved by the crowd present at the concert. She started by commending those who turned up to grieve Austin’s death with her.

“The pain of losing my son is unbearable for me. I want to thank you all for choosing to honour Austin’s memory. Raising two children with an autistic condition was hard for me and Austin would help a great deal in taking care of his younger brother as I went out to fend for them. He was a second parent to his brother, however his life was mercilessly cut short,” she said as she looked at her second born child next to her.

She continued by appealing to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to ensure justice is served for Austin.

The mother of two was overwhelmed with emotions and moved into tears when the ‘Safiri Salama’ Jam by Amos and Josh was played and those in the crowd chanted her son’s name.

The event which kicked off at 12 pm saw a line-up of more than 20 acts get on stage to perform. Willie Oeba alongside Brian Silweyz , 2Tea , Big Mitch , Tamasha Band , Priest the poet , Look it Art band among other acts performed.

The event however concluded abruptly as other performances were on, after the authorities asked those attending the concert to leave the garden.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, the organiser, Shikoh Kihika, says they did not manage to do the candle lighting as anticipated because the event was cut short abruptly with no explanations from the authorities, as police patrolled outside the premises.

“The event was a success and much of what we anticipated to do was done. The families of those killed in the protest came in, performances were done and we were able to honour those who were killed. It’s just a few performances that were not showcased and the candle lighting event,” she says.

A reliable source notes that the event was cut short since Nyayo garden is normally closed at 6pm and they had already started spilling into the time.

Additionally, they note the venue was offered to them with the agreement the event was to be concluded by 5.30 pm.