Burial of Saba Saba Protest Victim in Kirinyaga Postponed After Autopsy Delay

Kagumo, Kirinyaga County – July 17, 2025

Plans for the burial of 21‑year‑old Peter Macharia, who succumbed to injuries sustained during the July 7 Saba Sabaprotests, were abruptly disrupted after a government pathologist failed to arrive for the mandatory autopsy at Kerugoya County Referral Hospital mortuary.

Macharia, shot amid the protests, died later at the hospital. His family had already gathered, meals prepared, and mourners ready. But with paperwork incomplete and no postmortem conducted, his burial had to be postponed—a devastating blow to the grieving family.

His mother, Margaret Wainoi, described the cancellation as emotionally harrowing. His sister echoed the sentiment, urging calm and reminding the public that Peter deserved a respectful and dignified farewell.

Local legislator and family relative, David Kinyua Wangui, condemned the turn of events: “All arrangements had been finalised – now it’s all in vain.” The case amplifies growing public frustration—by July 11, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) had recorded at least 38 deaths linked to police action during the protests  .

Authorities say they will expedite the process so the family can reschedule the funeral promptly and pledged to investigate why the pathologist did not show up. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Kirinyaga over unresolved protest deaths and highlights the emotional trauma families face when access to closure becomes fraught.

🛡️ Why This Matters for Kenyans

• Postmortem delays are deepening emotional distress and delaying justice.

• Civil rights bodies like KNCHR and Amnesty International emphasize that proper forensic examinations must be conducted — ideally in the presence of IPOA officials, independent pathologists, and legal advocates — to prevent premature burials and preserve evidence  .

• Discrepancies between police-recorded causes of death and actual autopsy findings raise concerns over transparency and possible cover-ups throughout the protest period  .

⚖️ What Should Happen Next