A postmortem examination conducted on Thursday has confirmed that a 32-year-old man killed during Monday’s nationwide demonstrations in Kiambu town died from a gunshot wound inflicted from a distant range.
The autopsy of Martin Rigii, also referred to by family and representatives as Rige or Rugi, was performed at the St. Teresiah Hospital mortuary in Thindigwa estate, Kiambu County. The exercise, which took over an hour, was witnessed by government pathologists, independent medical experts, human rights organizations, and state investigative agencies.
Speaking after the procedure, government pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa confirmed the cause of death as conclusive, noting that the shot was fired from a distant range rather than close quarters.
Munene Warutere, the vice-chair of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Kiambu chapter and the family’s legal representative, detailed the extensive internal damage caused by the single bullet.
“The cause of death as established by the doctor is hemorrhage caused by the bullet wound,” Warutere told reporters. “The bullet went through the right shoulder and exited through the back on the left side. There was excessive bleeding, and internal organs, including the lung, were severely damaged.”
The exercise was attended by representatives from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), and the human rights group Vocal Africa.
The family of the deceased expressed satisfaction with the transparency of the autopsy but demanded immediate criminal accountability.
“We are satisfied with the doctor’s postmortem because we have seen that truly he was killed by a bullet,” said Francis Kaliba Kamau, Rigii’s cousin. “The only thing we ask for now is justice. Let the person who killed him face action.”
Lawyer Warutere launched a scathing critique against law enforcement operations during public protests, reminding the state of its constitutional mandates.
“A very young man, only 32 years old and not yet married, has lost his life through a bullet. The same officers who swore to protect lives are the ones violating constitutional rights under Article 26—the right to life,” Warutere stated.
Warutere noted that the LSK would bypass potential investigative delays by moving straight to the courts. “There is already a precedent from the High Court and Court of Appeal ruling that a petition for wrongful death is not hinged on the final results of a criminal investigation. We can file petitions for compensation and a declaration of wrongful death by a state organ immediately.”
The Kiambu killing mirrors a broader pattern of heavy-handed policing across the country during the protests against sharp fuel price hikes. Human rights activist Khalid Hassan revealed that independent monitors are currently tracking dozens of similar casualties from Monday’s unrest.
“As human rights practitioners, we are following up on 17 cases of killings from Monday’s fuel price protests, spread across Western Kenya, Kiambu, Nairobi, Kitengela, and other areas,” Hassan said.
Hassan also directed a sharp message to the transport sector stakeholders who have since entered negotiations with the government following the economic disruption.
“We are calling on the transport sector to remember that these young men and women died while protesting for reduced fuel prices. They have now sat down with the government to agree on modalities, but what about those who lost their lives?” Hassan asked. “The very first agenda item on those negotiation tables must be justice for the deceased, followed by financial support for the bereaved families to ensure decent send-offs.”
With civil society groups claiming that the specific officer who fired the fatal shot in Kiambu town is known to local witnesses, pressure has shifted entirely to IPOA to expedite the criminal file.
Activists and legal teams at the venue collectively stated that they would monitor the state’s actions closely, warning against using monetary compensation as a substitute for judicial accountability.
“We are appealing to IPOA to work with speed, review CCTV footage, and interview the witnesses who were present,” Hassan added. “We cannot allow a regular modus operandi in this country where the state kills its citizens, offers compensation, and lets the trigger-happy officers walk free.”
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
