The family of Ann Wambui Maina, the 30-year-old waitress who was shot dead in a club by a Nakuru police officer, is demanding justice for their daughter.

According to Ann's father, Paul Maina, action must be taken against the police officer responsible for his daughter's death.

He says his family is still trying to come to terms with her death.

" I received a call from Ann's colleague telling me that she had been shot during an incident at work. A few minutes later, my son also called me but he did not tell me what had happened," he explains.

Mr Maina says it was only when he called his daughter's phone and a police officer from Kaptembwo police station answered and told him that she had died after being shot at a nightclub that he was able to believe the news.

"The Kaptembwo police officer told me that she had been shot and that her body was at the mortuary and asked me if I could go to the station," he said, breaking down in tears.

Peter Gachie (left) consoles his emotional father, Paul Maina during an autopsy of Ann Wambui’s body at the Nakuru City Morgue on December 15, 2023. Wambui was shot dead by a police officer on Wednesday morning at an entertainment club in the city over a Sh13,000 liquor bill. Her family and human rights bodies are demanding justice for her death.

Photo credit: Courtesy

Speaking at the Nakuru City mortuary, the deceased's brother, Peter Gachie, described Ann as a very determined person who wanted to provide for her three children.

"My sister was a single mother of three children aged 13, 12 and 2. She worked hard and single-handedly put her children through school," said Mr Gachie.

He notes that before moving to Nakuru three years ago, Ann had worked as a bar tender in Kisumu, where she did well.

Also Read: Nakuru police officer shoots waitress, bouncer, over Sh 13,000 alcohol bill

Determined to give her children a good life, Ann hoped to one day take them to a private boarding school to relieve their mother of the burden of caring for them as they used to stay with her while she worked in Kisumu.

However, he notes that she lost her job after her mother died three years ago. He adds that her mother's death took a toll on her and she sank into depression.

" I think she could no longer keep up with the work and she was sacked. She then came to stay with me in Nairobi for a month before we came up with a plan for her to open a grocery shop in Nakuru," he says.

Mr Gachie says he was surprised to hear that her sister met her death at work at a club, as he knew she was running a grocery shop that he had helped her set up.

"Ann was very reserved and rarely shared her struggles with anyone. She found it hard to ask for help. Maybe that was why she kept what she did for a living a secret from me," he said.

Mr Gachie notes that the last time he spoke to Ann was 10 days before her death. She was telling him about her Christmas plans.

" I was going to travel to upcountry on December 20 and I asked her to come with me. But she said she wanted to work until the 24th and then come home on the 26th. She wanted to get money for her son who will be in Form One next year and also settle some fees for her daughter who is in Form Two, reasons I understood," he explains.

Also Read: Police officer found dead in Nakuru's Whitehouse estate

According to her brother Ann had promised to make some kitenge clothes to take home for her children and our younger sibling.

The family is also seeking help from well-wishers on how to help the children left behind, as their grandfather is old and cannot look after them all.

wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Nakuru tragedy: Family speaks out after waitress fatally shot by police officer in a club

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