logo
'Better if he was dead': Kenyan mother's search for son year after protests

'Better if he was dead': Kenyan mother's search for son year after protests

Time of India2 days ago

I search for my child amidst the protest's turmoil. Fear and desperation consume me as I scan the chaotic scene.
Susan Wangari has lost count of the morgues, hospitals and police stations she has visited in search of her son, who went missing at the height of Kenya's mass protests last June.
She last saw Emmanuel Mukuria, 24, on the morning of June 25, 2024, the day that thousands of Kenyan youths thronged the streets of Nairobi and stormed parliament in protest at planned tax rises and corruption.
"It would be better if my son were dead; at least I could visit his grave," she told AFP.
Rights groups say at least 60 people were killed during the protests in June and July, and more than 80 abducted by the security forces since then, with dozens still missing.
Mukuria's friends say he was arrested during the protests in the city centre, where he worked as a minibus tout.
"We do not have peace in this house," his mother, 50, told AFP during a visit to her single-room home in the Kasarani slum area.
"I sleep lightly at night in case he comes knocking at my window like he always did," she said.
"Every time we hear that bodies have been found somewhere, we are anxious to know whose they are."
Two men told her they shared a cell with Mukuria, but they are too afraid to speak publicly about their ordeal.
One was only released in February, giving her hope that her son is still alive in captivity.
"They told me they were beaten and questioned about the protests.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
They were being asked who paid them to participate," Wangari said.
Last month, President William Ruto, in a clear admission that security forces had engaged in kidnappings, said all those abducted during the protests had been "returned to their families".
Rights groups say dozens are still missing and police have shown little progress in investigating the disappearances despite Ruto claiming an "accountability mechanism" was put in place.
Questioned by AFP, the president's office said the police were "handling the brief", while a police spokesman referred AFP back to the president's office.
The police spokesman said they had no information on Mukuria's case. An officer-in-charge at the station where Wangari reported him missing said the matter was still under investigation.
- Delayed justice -
Many other families are still dealing with the aftermath of the violence.
Rex Masai, 29, was the first to die during the protests, shot and killed in the city centre on June 20.
The inquest into his death is still dragging on.
"We are hoping for the best but we are not near the truth," Masai's mother Gillian Munyao told AFP at her home, where a photo of her dreadlocked son hangs on the wall.
She found her son lying lifeless in a pool of blood at a clinic where he was taken that day.
The state prosecutor has said a lack of witnesses has delayed progress in the case.
One potential witness was scared off for fear he might be "forcibly disappeared" by the police, Munyao said.
Hussein Khalid, head of rights group Vocal Africa, blamed a "lack of cooperation by the authorities".
"When you get evidence, the unfortunate bit is you have to take it to the police themselves," he said.
He lost count of the number of funerals he attended after the protests, estimating between 20 and 30.
"Was it necessary to unleash this kind of brute force against young, innocent Kenyans?" he said.
Politicians have shown little interest in accountability or learning from the unrest.
"People were killed, we sympathised, we moved on," Bashir Abdullahi, a member of the ruling coalition,told parliament during a debate on the protests last month.
But for victim's families, the search for justice "means a lot", said Masai's father, Chrispin Odawa.
"The wound will never heal," he said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bangladesh 2026 polls: Yunus says 'no way' he would continue to be in power; plans to unveil 'big package' next month
Bangladesh 2026 polls: Yunus says 'no way' he would continue to be in power; plans to unveil 'big package' next month

Time of India

time28 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Bangladesh 2026 polls: Yunus says 'no way' he would continue to be in power; plans to unveil 'big package' next month

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has firmly ruled out any intention of staying in power after the country's 2026 elections, saying there is "no way" he would seek a political post after the polls. Yunus, who is on a visit to the UK, was speaking at the Chatham House in London, a top foreign policy think tank, on Tuesday evening. 'I think none of our cabinet members would like to do that, not only me,' the 84-year-old leader said, waving his hands to emphasise his point, news agency AFP reported. The South Asian country, home to around 170 million (17 crore) people, has been led by Yunus' caretaker government since a student-led uprising in August 2024 removed then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15 years in power. Further, the veteran economist and founder of the Grameen Bank reiterated that his interim administration is focused solely on managing a smooth transition to an elected government. 'Our job is to make sure that the transition is managed well, and that people are happy when we hand over power to the elected government,' Yunus said. "So we want to make sure that the election is right, that is a very critical factor for us. If the election is wrong, this thing will never be solved again," he added. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate had long maintained that elections would be held before June 2026, but stressed that more time would help the interim government push through key reforms. However, after repeated pressure from political parties to set a clear timeline, he announced earlier this month that the elections will take place in April 2026. Looking ahead, he revealed plans to release a "big package" called the 'July Charter,' aimed at "rebuilding the nation's democratic institutions." This package would be focused towards overhauling democratic institutions after Hasina's tenure. 'We want to say goodbye to the old Bangladesh and create a new Bangladesh,' he said. The charter, he added, is being drafted by a government-led 'consensus commission' that is actively consulting political parties to find common ground. 'We are trying to find that which are the recommendations they will accept,' said Yunus. During his time in London, Yunus is also expected to meet Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), widely tipped to win the upcoming polls.

LA Riots 2025: Anti-Trump protests in Los Angeles see more arrests, curfew still on, American taxpayers to bear $134 million for 4,000 National Guards, 700 Marines
LA Riots 2025: Anti-Trump protests in Los Angeles see more arrests, curfew still on, American taxpayers to bear $134 million for 4,000 National Guards, 700 Marines

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

LA Riots 2025: Anti-Trump protests in Los Angeles see more arrests, curfew still on, American taxpayers to bear $134 million for 4,000 National Guards, 700 Marines

LA Riots 2025 or Los Angeles protests against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown on Wednesday witnessed more arrests over alleged curfew violation. President Trump claimed that he had sent in the 4,000 National Guards and 700 Marines to "liberate" Los Angeles from the violence of protesters, but some residents of Little Tokyo, a neighborhood hit hardest by the unrest say "no thanks" Mr President. LA Curfew, Business Loots in Los Angeles Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the curfew -- meant to stop vandalism and looting -- was in effect within one square mile (2.5 square kilometers) of the city's more-than-500 square mile area from 8:00 pm and 6:00 am (0300 to 1300 GMT). At their largest, the protests have included a few thousand people taking to the streets, but smaller groups have used the cover of darkness to set fires, daub graffiti and smash windows, AFP reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Also Read Live Events Police arrested at least 25 people on suspicion of violating the curfew as of Tuesday evening, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing an LAPD spokesperson. Overnight Monday 23 businesses were looted, police said, adding that more than 500 people had been arrested over recent days, as per the report. US Taxpayers to Bear $134 million Trump has activated 4,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, along with 700 active-duty Marines, in what he has claimed is a necessary escalation to take back control, even though local law enforcement authorities insisted they could handle the unrest. A military spokeswoman said the Marines were expected to be on the streets by Wednesday. Their mission will be to guard federal facilities and provide protection to federal officers during immigration enforcement operations. The Pentagon said the deployment would cost US taxpayers $134 million, AFP reported. 'Little Tokyo' Says No To President Trump "Little Tokyo", a charming neighborhood with shops selling Japanese goods and restaurants serving up some of the city's finest sushi, abuts the federal buildings where protesters have gathered for five nights in a row. For the past two nights, when police and National Guard troops have forcibly dispersed protesters in the early evening, demonstrators scatter into smaller groups into Little Tokyo, which has been covered with anti-ICE and anti-Trump graffiti, as per a Reuters report. Los Angeles Sees Heavy Patrolling Heavily armed security officers, including several riding horses, patrolled near government buildings, while men boarded up storefronts after dark on Tuesday to protect against vandalism. Looting and vandalism in the second-biggest US city have marred the largely peaceful protests over ramped-up arrests by immigration authorities. The demonstrations, which began Friday, and isolated acts of violence prompted Trump to take the extraordinary step of sending in troops, over the objection of the state governor, AFP reported. FAQs Q1. How much Los Angeles deployment would cost? A1. President Donald Trump has activated 4,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, along with 700 active-duty Marines, in what he has claimed is a necessary escalation to take back control, even though local law enforcement authorities insisted they could handle the unrest. The Pentagon said the deployment would cost US taxpayers $134 million, AFP reported. Q2. What is Little Tokyo? A2. "Little Tokyo", a charming neighborhood in Los Angeles with shops selling Japanese goods and restaurants serving up some of the city's finest sushi, abuts the federal buildings where protesters have gathered for five nights in a row.

Why for-profit colleges are poised to flourish under Trump's education policies
Why for-profit colleges are poised to flourish under Trump's education policies

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Why for-profit colleges are poised to flourish under Trump's education policies

How new federal rules could boost for-profit colleges despite quality concerns. (AI Image) President Donald Trump's recent proposal to redirect federal funding from elite universities like Harvard to trade schools signals a significant shift in the US higher education landscape. While Trump lacks the direct authority to reroute the $3 billion in research grants appropriated by Congress, his push aligns with a broader Republican agenda aimed at boosting for-profit colleges and career training programs. These institutions, which have faced controversy and regulatory scrutiny in the past, now appear set for a resurgence under Trump's policies and a supportive Republican Congress. Trump's administration is advancing legislation and regulatory changes that benefit for-profit colleges, particularly through new workforce Pell grants and relaxed accreditation standards. These shifts could open federal aid to a wider range of short-term training programs, many operated by for-profit entities, despite ongoing concerns about educational quality and student outcomes. Federal policies open doors for for-profit education The House-passed tax and budget bill, formally known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduces new workforce Pell grants available to students enrolled in eight to fifteen-week workforce training programs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 BHKs starts at ₹ 72.6 Lakh | No Floor rise | Zero PLC Mahindra Happinest Tathawade Get Quote Undo While programs must be state-approved, they do not need to be accredited, a major departure from previous requirements. As reported by the Forbes, this change lowers the regulatory barrier for many for-profit institutions to access federal funds. Michelle Dimino, director of the education program at Third Way, told Forbes that the bill's quality assurance measures are weak. Eligible programs must meet a 70% completion rate and a 70% job placement rate, thresholds she describes as easily manipulated by predatory schools. "Sometimes colleges might look for students who are already employed right as a target audience because they know that they'll do good on a job placement measure," she said. Furthermore, Trump plans to overhaul the accreditation process, making it easier for for-profit schools to qualify for federal aid. Nicholas Kent, Trump's nominee for undersecretary of education and a former lobbyist for Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), reflects the administration's sympathetic stance toward the industry. His nomination, as reported by the Forbes, awaits a Senate floor vote after passing the committee on a party-line vote. Investors rally behind for-profit colleges The financial markets have responded positively to the Trump administration's pro-for-profit stance. According to Jeffrey Silber, a senior analyst at BMO Capital Markets Equity Research, stocks in the sector surged after Trump's election. Adtalem Global Education's shares rose 61%, while Perdoceo Education Corporation saw a 46% increase, with notable jumps occurring immediately after the election, as quoted by the Forbes. CECU praised Trump's focus on career education and his suggestion to divert Harvard's funding to trade schools. "The best way to support trade schools is to reduce the regulatory burden facing private career schools while increasing funding that allows students interested in the trades to choose the highest quality school," the association stated, according to the Forbes. Concerns over quality and student outcomes Despite these policy shifts, experts warn about the risks of expanding federal aid to for-profit colleges without sufficient oversight. Michael Itzkowitz, founder of The HEA Group, highlighted troubling data showing 59% of certificate-granting institutions leave graduates earning less than $32,000 annually—roughly the income of a typical high school graduate—even ten years after enrollment, as reported by the Forbes. The rollback of key regulations, including the gainful employment rule and the 90/10 rule, both designed to protect students from poor-performing programs, further exacerbates these concerns. The House bill would also limit borrower defense protections that allow students defrauded by schools to cancel loans, a safeguard introduced during the Obama administration after the collapse of Corinthian Colleges. Dimino warned Forbes that expanding access without proper safeguards could invite abuses seen in the past. "Every time for-profit colleges have been given access to more federal aid, abuses have followed," she said. As the US faces economic uncertainty, Silber noted that for-profit colleges may be seen as a "defensive" investment, potentially attracting more students seeking quick retraining, even as the broader economy fluctuates. In summary, the combination of relaxed regulations, new funding streams, and a politically favorable environment positions for-profit colleges to expand rapidly under President Trump's education policies. However, this growth comes amid persistent concerns about educational quality and financial risks for students. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store