Missing bullets in demo victims spark questions

A spent bullet cartridge that was collected in Kangari, Murang'a county, after police shot dead two people during Saba Saba protests, on July 7, 2025. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

On June 17, Nairobi’s city centre and surrounding areas became a no-go zone after hundreds of Kenyans took to the streets, demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

The protests followed the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang’ while in police custody.

In the wake of the unrest, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported 22 fatalities and hundreds more left nursing injuries. Among those whose lives were cut short by a police bullet was Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, a security guard employed by Hatari Security and stationed at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza headquarters.

Wanyonyi was rushed to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Days later, a post-mortem revealed that he had succumbed to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. However, while the examination identified an entry wound, there was neither a bullet nor an exit wound.

This revelation has thrown Wanyonyi’s family into confusion, prompting urgent questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. Chief among these is why the officers transported him to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, which is farther from the scene, instead of taking him to a nearby medical facility.

The absence of bullets from the bodies of protest victims has triggered growing concern among Kenyans and human rights organisations. Some allege foul play, accusing police of tampering with evidence to prevent accountability. Rights groups note that bullets recovered from victims can be traced to specific firearms, providing critical evidence in investigations.

Vocal Africa, a human rights body, has raised the alarm and called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate potential police interference in such cases.

“It is deeply concerning, and we have raised the matter with IPOA. When someone has been fatally shot, the bullet is usually found within the body. The current trend, where bullets go missing, is puzzling,” said Hussein, a representative of the group. 

He added that in normal circumstances, a recovered bullet can be used to trace the weapon and, consequently, identify the officer who discharged it.

“The mystery of bullets disappearing from bodies is a new and alarming trend. There is a possibility that tampering occurs during transport, although we cannot confirm anything at this stage,” Hussein remarked.

In another case in Kiambu County, a family has accused the police of shooting a 14-year-old boy, Solomon Njoroge, and then attempting a cover-up. According to the family, Njoroge was shot three times in the legs during Saba Saba Day protests and later taken to hospital before being thrown into a police cell.

Njoroge, currently admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital, recalled playing football with friends on July 7, when individuals in a white car began firing shots into the air. Three bullets struck him before he was bundled into a police lorry and taken to Tigoni Hospital, then later to Tigoni Police Station.

His father, John Kibe, said he found the boy in custody the following day, despite his injuries, and was told police were arranging transport to Kiambu Hospital for further treatment.

Separately, video footage from Saba Saba protests appeared to show officers dragging what seemed to be body into Juja Police Station.

However, National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga downplayed the reports, stating that the allegations needed to be substantiated.

“Anyone who makes allegations bears the burden of proof. We have not been presented with any report that requires our professional response. Anything concerning bullets falls under the jurisdiction of IPOA,” he said.