Autopsy reveals Boniface Kariuki died from severe rubber bullet injury

An autopsy conducted today revealed that four bullet fragments remained lodged in his brain, evidence of the brutality of the shooting. 

The postmortem, conducted by a team led by government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia and family-appointed pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa, revealed that four bullet fragments remained lodged in Mwangi’s brain. Doctors had previously removed two other fragments while he was still alive.

"The brain is quite disturbed, and the chances of survival were very, very minimal," said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, the family’s pathologist.

"The operation to remove the bullet particles was done, but some remained. The particles are rubbery and blackish, and the brain is quite destroyed," added Dr. Ndegwa.

"We are actually shocked that there were more bullet fragments," said family spokesperson Emily Wanjira.

While the autopsy confirmed the cause of death, it could not conclusively determine the exact time of death. Pathologists noted that Kariuki's brain may have ceased functioning before his death was officially communicated to the family on Sunday.

"His brain could have died in the course of the treatment," Dr. Ndegwa noted.

Meanwhile, two police officers linked to the shooting were arraigned in court on Thursday. Plea taking was adjourned to next Thursday after prosecutors requested additional time to investigate and file murder charges, citing new developments.

Officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) were present during the autopsy and are expected to forward their findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to support potential criminal charges.

Mwangi’s family is now calling for a swift and transparent investigation as they prepare to lay him to rest next Friday.

With the autopsy complete and its findings confirming what has long been obvious, the family can now begin to move forward toward closing this painful chapter, though not without seeking justice and accountability from the officers involved.