Mourners stone police before burial of Nyeri man

Mourners match to Mukurweini Police Station to protest the killing of Kingori Kanyi. (Photo: Mose Sammy/Standard)

Teargas, running battles and stone throwing dominated the burial of a man who was allegedly shot dead by a police officer from Mukurweini Police Station, Nyeri County, last week.

The burial of King'ori Kanyi, 30, was almost postponed after the over 100 mourners collected the body from the Mukurweini District Hospital mortuary and, instead of heading for the burial site about 300m away, they made their way to the nearby police station.

The mourners, who sang dirges and waved placards and twigs, demanded the officer's arrest. They forced their way into the station and reached the stairway to the report desk as pleas from OCPD Beatrice Kamoni fell on deaf ears.

"We want you to use your vehicle to take the body to the graveside!" shouted one mourner.

Police officers hurled teargas at the group and the mourners fled, leaving the coffin behind.

"It is almost two weeks since my brother was shot dead while the killers are still enjoying their freedom," said Margaret Wahito.

The demonstrators regrouped after former Makadara MP Dick Wathika appeared and demanded to view the body. Some demonstrators joined him but his demands were rejected by Ms Kamoni.

"We can't allow you to view the body here. The crowd is already charged and that could incite them to violence," said Kamoni.

Angered by the use of teargas, the mourners surrounded the police station and hurled stones, injuring police officer. Church leaders helped restore order and the body was finally taken away for burial.

Kanyi was gunned down at 1am on March 7 by police in unclear circumstances, although relatives claimed he was involved in a bar brawl with an officer.