The police have denied accusations that they unlawfully took custody of the body of Kennedy Onyango, a minor who tragically died after being shot eight times during protests in Nairobi.

The mother of the deceased, Josinter Anyango Ochieng, had expressed concerns about police interference, claiming it had hindered her plans to bury her son in Mbita.

Following the public outcry and allegations, the police issued a press release asserting that they had conducted the necessary autopsy and subsequently released the body to Josinter Anyango Ochieng, who intended to bury her son in Mbita, Homa Bay County.

However, a new development unfolded when a man who identified himself as the biological father of the deceased petitioned the court, filing an urgent request to halt the burial initially scheduled for July 4th.

This legal action has added a new layer of complexity to the situation surrounding Kennedy Onyango’s tragic death and subsequent funeral arrangements.

“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. This was after carrying out of the post-mortem by a Pathologist, Dr. Ndegwa P.M. with the outcome indicating that the boy died due to a single gunshot wound at a long range,” read the statement from the police.

The statement further read, “Apparently, the Civil Suit No. 0028 of 2024 filed at Mbita Law Courts ordered the police to move the body to Suba Sub-County Hospital Funeral Home for preservation, and the OCS Mbita Police Station complied with the order. Consequently, we appeal to members of the public to remain calm as this matter regarding family burial dispute is resolved before a competent Court of Law.”

In a video that has gone viral, Ms Anyango is recorded complaining that the act of the police holding on to the body is making her situation worse.