Burial of Kirinyaga Youth Killed During Saba Saba Protests Postponed Over Missing Pathologist
The planned burial of Peter Macharia, a young man from Kirinyaga County who was fatally shot during the Saba Saba protests, was abruptly cancelled due to the absence of a government pathologist needed to conduct a postmortem.
Speaking to journalists at the mortuary, a distraught family spokesperson, Kang’ethe, said:
“We were fully prepared for Peter’s burial tomorrow. This cancellation has caused immense emotional and logistical distress.”
Mutira Ward MCA David Kinyua Wangui, a relative of the deceased, strongly condemned the delay, blaming it on government negligence.
“All preparations were in place — the grave was dug last night, and now everything has gone to waste. This is a huge disappointment to the family.”
Peter’s mother, Margaret Wainoi, said food had already been prepared by local women’s groups, and guests from across the region were expected.
“Mourners were expected from far and wide. Now we are left wondering whether we will have to keep the grave open for days,” she said tearfully.
According to the family, Macharia was shot by a police officer on July 7 while picking tea near his home. He was first taken to a nearby dispensary before being referred to Kerugoya Level Five Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Kirinyaga Nominated MCA Bosco Gichangi also joined the family in demanding accountability.
“This was an unarmed youth simply going about his work. We demand that the officer responsible be identified, arrested, and charged,” he said.
The family now awaits a new date for the postmortem and burial as they continue to seek justice for their son.
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