News / Together for Change
Mother of fatally stabbed teen calls for road name change
Three people have been murdered on Grosvenor Road in St Paul’s since July last year.
Now, the mother of a teen who was fatally stabbed on the street where he grew up is calling for the road’s name to be changed.
19-year-old Eddie Kinuthia was murdered on July 21 last year. His killers have still not been charged and investigations are ongoing.
is needed now More than ever
Nine months after his death, Eddie’s mother, Irene Muthemba, and her sister, Jade Morris, are calling for an end to youth violence and for Eddie’s legacy to be honoured by launching a petition to name the road after him.
“This particular area has been synonymous with so much crime and negativity,” Irene told Bristol24/7.
Two more people have died on Grosvenor Road in St Paul’s since Eddie’s death in July last year – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“For those children that are Eddie’s age and younger, that road is always going to be associated with trauma. The name ‘Grosvenor Road’ triggers trauma.”
Irene and Jade hope the name change will act as a “stark reminder” against youth violence and knife crime, and a way to let young people in the neighbourhood know that “we are taking this seriously”.
“Eddie really loved his neighbourhood and he felt really safe,” she said. “With this small change we can make bigger changes. We just have to be willing to make that first step.”
Irene said Eddie’s death had “devastated and traumatised” her family, and spoke out about the far-reaching impact knife crime can have on communities.
“My son was here, he lived and he had so much joy and hope and so many dreams and aspirations, and his life was cut short because of a moment of madness.”
“I sometimes wake up and I think, “I cannot believe that it is real”. It’s the permanence of it – the fact that he is not coming back, the fact that we are going to celebrate his 21st birthday when he is not there.
“I never imagined for a second that he wasn’t going to make it.”
Irene and Jade have been working to rally the support of Grosvenor Road residents to change the name which, if successful, will require Bristol City Council to work with Royal Mail to begin the name change process.
Irene hopes the name change will be one part of a wider movement to tackle youth violence in Bristol, and said changes like this can “help keep people talking about the issues.”
She stressed the importance of parents talking to their children about youth violence, especially boys. Eddie had you younger brothers, with whom Irene has had many conversations with since his death.
“I know that they are traumatised,” she said. “We still have a long way to go with regards to trying to support them adequately.”
Eddie (left) with his mother, Irene (right) – photo: Avon and Somerset Police
“We’re trying to get schools and youth clubs to talk about it. Be brave enough to talk about this, and the impact it has on everybody else.”
Irene said the name change wouldn’t just honour Eddie, but all the young people who are afraid and feel the need to carry a knife.
“It’s them we’re doing this for. I know Eddie’s life wasn’t the only one that has been taken there, but change has to start somewhere.”
“Every family that has to deal with this kind of trauma, deals with things differently, and this is our way.”
“I want (young people) to feel proud of being part of that history,” added Jade.
Bristol24/7, in conjunction with media organisations, community leaders, campaigners and others, has launched Together for Change, a citywide campaign to end knife crime and the devastating impact it has on people’s lives. To get involved or speak to Bristol24/7 about this, please email ellie@bristol247.com.
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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