Autopsy confirms 17-years schoolboy killed by gunshot during Nanyuki protests

An autopsy has confirmed that 17-year-old Form Three student Sylvester Muigai Ndung’u died from a single gunshot wound to the head during protests in Nanyuki town, Laikipia County, on June 9, in a case that has intensified scrutiny of police use of force during public demonstrations.

Government pathologist Dr Peter Ndegwa, who conducted the postmortem earlier today, said the bullet entered above the left eye, passed through the brain and lodged at the back of the skull, causing fatal internal injuries.

The findings come at a time when concerns are mounting over alleged excessive use of force by police during crowd control operations, even as authorities roll out a compensation framework for victims of police-related harm.

“The cause of death is head injuries due to a single gunshot,” he said, adding that the projectile was recovered during the examination and handed over to investigators for ballistic analysis.

Ndegwa noted that the bullet appeared to have been fired from a pistol, although final confirmation will depend on forensic testing.

Ndegwa said the projectile appeared to have come from a pistol, although he noted that ballistic experts would make the final determination.

“It looks like from a pistol, not a very high-calibre thing. I’m not very good at ballistics, but that’s my guess,” he said. Muigai was reported missing after leaving home to collect his school uniform from an aunt.

He said the injury caused extensive bleeding and severe destruction of brain tissue as it travelled through the skull.

Muigai was among residents caught up in protests in Nanyuki over opposition to a proposed Ebola quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base.

What began as a planned peaceful procession to present a petition reportedly escalated into violent confrontations after police blocked access to the facility.

Witnesses said officers used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators, while some protesters erected roadblocks and lit bonfires as unrest spread across parts of the town.

The 17-year-old, a Form Three student, is said to have left home on the day of the protests to collect his school uniform from an aunt but was later caught in the chaos.

His mother, Lucy Kagure, later identified his body at a Nanyuki mortuary, where it had been registered as that of an unidentified male.

Human rights organisations have renewed calls for accountability in Muigai’s death, urging a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and warning against a pattern of lethal force during demonstrations.