The tragic death of a young man who had been invited to a government function has left many Kenyans asking hard questions. Cecil Ouma, a youth mobiliser from Embakasi, was shot dead on Tuesday evening in Kariokor, Nairobi, under circumstances that are still being investigated.
The incident has put Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs in the spotlight, as the shooting happened inside his official vehicle.
Ouma had been invited by the PS's office to mobilise youths for a Kikao youth empowerment programme at Kariokor Social Hall. He did his job well, bringing together about 100 young people for the event.
After the function ended, Ouma was given Sh10,000 to share among the youths as transport reimbursement. But the young people felt the amount was too little and told him to return the money and ask for more.
That decision would cost him his life. According to his brother Jeff Okoth, Ouma went back to the PS's vehicle to return the money. What happened next is still unclear, but moments later, Ouma was shot, reportedly by a bodyguard attached to the PS. He was pushed out of the vehicle along Park Road with gunshot wounds.
Well-wishers rushed him to Park Road Nursing Home, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. The post-mortem report showed he had two gunshot wounds on his left arm and another below his left breast.
The family is devastated and demanding answers. His brother Jeff said Ouma was a peaceful youth leader who had dropped out of university but dedicated himself to community work in Mathare.
"There is no way you can invite young people to a government function and then end up shooting one of them. We want justice," a family member said.
For two days, PS Fikirini Jacobs remained silent while the nation waited. But on Thursday, July 2, he finally broke his silence. In a statement posted on Facebook, he extended his deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Cecil Ouma.
He described the death as tragic and distressing, saying no family should have to endure such a loss and no young life should end in such tragic and confounding circumstances.
The PS also confirmed that he had recorded a statement with the National Police Service earlier that day. Seven other individuals, including officers serving in his office, have also recorded their statements as part of the ongoing investigations.
Two bodyguards attached to the PS have been disarmed, and their firearms have been submitted for ballistic examination. Police are also investigating a director from the Ministry of Youth Affairs who was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
"I have responded to an invitation by the investigating agencies to record my statement on what really transpired," Fikirini said. "My commitment is that I will continue to make myself available for any investigations into this tragic death".
He assured the public that his office is fully cooperating with investigators and that he remains committed to ensuring justice is done.
But many are not satisfied. The family has accused the bodyguards of using excessive force. Police reports also show there are conflicting accounts of what really happened.
One police report claims the convoy was attacked by a group of youths demanding money, and bodyguards fired warning shots to disperse them. However, the same report makes no mention of anyone being shot. It was only two hours later that a second report documented Ouma's death.
This gap between the two police reports has become a central focus of the investigation. Detectives are now working to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine whether the use of force by the officers complied with police procedures.
Ouma's body is currently at Chiromo Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, the public continues to wait for answers.
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