Post-mortems conducted on two men killed during Saba Saba protests in Kirinyaga

Post-mortems were on Thursday conducted on the bodies of two young men who were shot dead by police during the recent Saba Saba protests in Kirinyaga County.

The examinations took place at Kibugi Funeral Home in Kutus and the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Peter Macharia, aged 21, was reportedly shot while picking tea near his family’s homestead in Kagumo. According to relatives, he was not participating in the protests at the time of the incident.

The second victim, 25-year-old Edwin Murimi, was shot in the head while in Kutus Town. A bullet exited through the back of his head, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

According to the Macharia family lawyer, Rose Muthike, the cause of death was excessive bleeding resulting from the gunshot wound inflicted by police officers during the protests.

“We are going to seek compensation from the government,” said Mutira Ward MCA David Kinyua Wangui, who condemned the killings.

Murimi's family, led by Isaac Muriuki, also confirmed that the post-mortem revealed he died from a gunshot wound to the head, which led to severe bleeding. The family had conducted a separate post-mortem on Saturday after a government pathologist failed to appear, forcing a second official procedure today.

The planned burials for both victims were initially cancelled due to the absence of a government pathologist. However, the families have now finalized arrangements.

“Now that the postmortem has been conducted, Peter Macharia will be buried on Monday,” said family spokesperson Hezekiah Kang'ethe.

Edwin Murimi was laid to rest today (Thursday) at Kiandegwa Village in Wamumu Ward, Mwea Constituency. His family vowed to pursue justice for his death.

“We are not going to relax until we get justice for our son,” Muriuki declared.