Grief and anger as form three student killed during Saba Saba protests laid to rest

A sombre cloud hung over Katheri village in Meru County on Wednesday as mourners gathered to bury Form Three student James Wambugu, who was shot dead by police during the Saba Saba protests.

The emotional ceremony quickly turned tense, with mourners and speakers hailing him as a fallen hero while condemning the government’s violent crackdown on unarmed youth.

Wambugu, the last-born child of a Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer, was shot on July 7 in Likii Estate, Nanyuki, after skipping school to join the demonstrations.

He was a student at Bingwa Secondary School. His death has sparked outrage and renewed calls for justice for young people killed while voicing their concerns.

Tension began early when officers from the DCI collected Wambugu’s body from the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary and escorted the hearse to the family’s home.

The move, which surprised relatives, was reportedly prompted by intelligence suggesting that protesters planned to seize the casket and march to the Nanyuki Police Station.

“We were instructed last night to assemble at the mortuary at 6 am, and sure enough, DCI officers were there to escort the hearse home,” said a family member who asked not to be named, as reported by the Daily Nation.

Upon arrival at around 7 am, DCI officers took control of the funeral arrangements and directed the master of ceremonies, David Murithi, to restrict speeches, allowing only close family members to speak.

Political statements were banned.

“You’ll forgive me for denying some people a chance to speak, but I’m under firm instructions to limit the number of speakers. I know there are political aspirants here, but they’ll have to bear with us,” said Murithi.

However, the presiding priest, Fr Roy Mwiti from Katheri/Ndemu Parish, defied the restrictions and delivered a fiery sermon criticising the government’s heavy-handed response to protests.

“To the police officers and government agencies involved in killing young people who are airing genuine grievances—you may kill the body, but you will not suppress the spirit. James died a hero, shot by a policeman, and though we bury him today, his spirit lives on,” said Fr Mwitias as quoted by the Daily Nation.

He condemned the shooting of peaceful demonstrators and warned police officers who blindly follow unlawful orders that their actions would haunt them forever.

“You may kill to protect your job, and even accumulate wealth from your evil actions, but you will never know peace. We may not know today who fired the bullet that killed this young man, but wherever that person is, I doubt they’re sleeping peacefully,” he said.

Fr Mwiti also called out leaders who have remained silent as the state uses brutal force on citizens, saying they were complicit through their inaction.

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Joyce Wangui, a human rights activist, was one of the few speakers allowed after being invited by the priest. She criticised elected leaders for failing to stand up for victims of police brutality.

“Police have been instructed to shoot protesters in the leg. Yet some who were shot in the leg have died. They can continue killing, but their day of reckoning is coming when we vote this government out,” Wangui said.

An autopsy conducted on Tuesday in the presence of representatives from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Law Society of Kenya, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, and other rights groups confirmed that Wambugu died from severe internal bleeding caused by a gunshot wound.