Kenyan singer and businesswoman Esther Akoth, popularly known as Akothee, has made a powerful and emotional appeal condemning police brutality in the wake of recent protests across the country.
Taking to her social media platforms, the outspoken celebrity expressed deep anguish and frustration over the growing number of young Kenyans injured or killed during demonstrations, particularly during the recent Saba Saba protests held on July 7th, 2025.
“How many more must die before you listen?” Akothee questioned, urging the government and security agencies to respect the rights of citizens and to protect—rather than harm—those voicing their concerns.
A Voice for the Voiceless
Akothee, a mother and advocate for youth empowerment, lamented the excessive use of force against peaceful protesters, many of whom belong to the country’s vibrant and increasingly vocal Gen Z movement. The protests, sparked by public outrage over the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024, have transformed into a broader demand for government accountability, economic justice, and an end to police violence.
In her plea, Akothee emphasized the courage of the youth standing up for their future:
“These are our children. Our brothers. Our sisters. Our future. They are not criminals—they are Kenyans asking to be heard. They deserve protection, not bullets.”
She also shared disturbing images and stories circulating online, highlighting the gruesome injuries sustained by young demonstrators, some of whom were reportedly shot at close range or beaten by police officers and unknown assailants.
Call to Leaders and the Police
Akothee directly addressed Kenya’s political leadership, including President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, imploring them to intervene and stop the bloodshed.
“We cannot call ourselves a democratic nation if citizens are met with violence every time they speak up. This is not leadership—this is a betrayal of the people,” she wrote.
She also urged the National Police Service to remember their constitutional role as protectors of life and property, not instruments of fear and repression.
Echoing a Growing Outcry
Akothee joins a chorus of activists, artists, and civil society leaders who have spoken out in recent weeks, calling for justice for those who have lost their lives or been injured during the demonstrations.
Human rights organizations like the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) have reported dozens of deaths and injuries across multiple counties, while social media continues to flood with first-hand accounts of abductions, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation of protestors.
A Mother’s Perspective
Known for her candid and no-nonsense approach to social issues, Akothee framed her plea not only as a celebrity but as a mother worried about her own children’s safety in the current climate.
“Today it is someone else’s child. Tomorrow it could be mine. We cannot remain silent. We must speak out until they listen.”
Her message has resonated with many, drawing widespread support from fans and fellow public figures alike who see her stand as part of a larger push for justice and national healing.
As Kenya grapples with mounting political tension and growing demands for reform, voices like Akothee’s continue to remind the nation of the human cost of silence—and the power of speaking out.
A CRY FROM A HELPLESS MOTHER 🙏
My sons and daughters, we hear you We know you have your rights to be heard and understood, we know you feel ignored and the pressure is getting worse, but look at where we are my children, are we winning or loosing lives every day, are you scared the way I am, are you feeling the negative energy around the country? Are you feeling safe ?
It is high time that every parent takes personal responsibility to protect their children. Talk to your child. Ask them to stay indoors. This is no longer about what it was , it has become something far more dangerous. If we are not careful, your child could be shot dead. You could become childless. Your husband may not return home. and you may soon find yourself a widow. No government compensation can ever replace the life death has taken.
Let us remember that our true power lies in our votes , not in shouting on the streets. Look at what is happening: our children are scattered across roads, confused and endangered. The same police we once called our protectors now stand as our adversaries. Shops are shut, businesses are looted or closed down. We are burning our own nation, tearing down the very infrastructure we will later beg to have rebuilt , with money we do not even have.
As a mother and an entrepreneur, I have lost on all fronts. The economic unrest has wiped out livelihoods. We have barely recovered from one wave of chaos before another one begins. Campaigns have started again. When do we breathe? When do we heal?
Can we, for once, allow ourselves just one year of peace? One year to rebuild, to reconcile, to grow, and to breathe. Let us manage our pain with wisdom and restraint.
Go and collect your voting card. Let your ballot speak for you. Vote in the leader you believe in , and vote out the one you no longer trust. But let us not tear each other apart in the name of politics. This “by fire, by force” approach is rendering us childless, widowed, and broken. Our children leave home walking, only to return in caskets.
As mothers, where do we go? To whom do we turn?
Let us rise with sense and strength — not in flames and sorrow. The future of this country is not in bloodshe