The burial of 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango, who was tragically shot dead during last week’s protests in Ongata Rongai, was marred by controversy and conflicting accounts.
Kennedy’s grieving mother, Josinter Anyango Ochieng, accused police of halting the burial and seizing her son’s body moments before the ceremony in Homa Bay.
In a heartfelt plea to President William Ruto, Ochieng said, “You have all the powers. After God, you are the second most powerful person in Kenya. Those who have taken my baby are under your authority. Ruto, return my baby.”
Comedian Eric Omondi, who has been actively involved in assisting the family, corroborated her account on social media. He stated that just before reaching the homestead for the burial, the funeral procession was stopped by a police roadblock, and the body was taken away.
“Whoever is responsible, please allow this woman to mourn in peace and bury her son. She has suffered enough,” Omondi implored.
In response to these claims, the National Police Service (NPS) issued a statement on Saturday evening, refuting allegations that they opposed the transfer of Kennedy’s body or halted the burial.
The NPS clarified that the body had been released to the family on July 4, 2024, after a post-mortem conducted by pathologist Dr. Ndegwa P.M., which revealed Kennedy died from a single gunshot wound fired from a long range.
According to the police, the burial in Mbita was disrupted when Denish Okinyi Abaga, a man claiming to be Kennedy’s biological father, appeared with a court order demanding custody of the body.
The court order, issued in Civil Suit No. 0028 of 2024 at the Mbita Law Courts, mandated the police to transfer the body to the Suba Sub-County Hospital Funeral Home for preservation.
“Contrary to the misleading reports circulating on social media that the National Police Service has stopped the burial of the late Kennedy Onyango in Mbita Constituency, we wish to clarify to the public that the body was released to the mother, Josinter Anyango Ochieng, for burial on July 4, 2024,” read the police statement.
The NPS explained that the police action was in compliance with the court order and was not intended to obstruct the burial. They urged the public to remain calm as the family dispute over Kennedy’s burial is resolved in court.
“We appeal to members of the public to remain calm as this matter regarding the family burial dispute is resolved before a competent Court of Law,” the statement continued.
The police have reiterated their commitment to serving and protecting all citizens, emphasizing their duty to act in accordance with the law and in the best interests of all parties involved.
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