Drama as mourners decline to bury two brothers, storm police station in Kirinyaga

The two brothers were killed in unclear circumstances on February 5, 2023, in Gategi. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

There was drama at a funeral in Kiamanyeki village in Kirinyaga County on Saturday after angry mourners declined to bury two brothers and stormed a police station.

The mourners who were protesting inaction over the murder of Joseph Ndung'u and Kennedy Gitau, trekked for at least 10 kilometres with the caskets and stormed Wang'uru Police Station demanding the arrest of the brothers' killer.

Joseph Ndung'u and Kennedy Gitau's funeral service was aborted. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

The mourners accused the police of laxity, claiming that the brothers' killer was known.

The residents declined to bury Joseph Ndung'u and Kennedy Gitau. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

Police officers manning the police station were forced to lob teargas to disperse the protestors after they vowed not to depart with the bodies or bury the two unless action is taken over their killing.

Kiamanyeki villagers storm Wang'uru Police Station. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

Ndungu and Gitau were killed in unclear circumstances on February 5, 2023, in Gategi area where they owned land at the border counties of Kirinyaga and Embu.

Residents protest the murder of Joseph Ndung'u and Kennedy Gitau. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

While addressing the mourners in a meeting, Senator Kamau Murango appealed for calm and called for the transfer of security officers for failing to act on the residents' grievances.