Single bullet, excessive bleeding killed 12-year-old Rongai boy; autopsy

Jocinter Anyango, mother to 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango who was shot during demos in Rongai mourns as they wait for autopsy report at Ongata Rongai Sub-County mortuary on the deceased on July 01,2024. The pathologist said that Onyango died out of haemorrhage. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

A postmortem examination of the body of 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango has revealed he was shot once on his shoulder.

Government pathologist Peter Ndegwa said Onyango died of severe hemorrhage (excessive bleeding) caused by a long-range bullet wound.

"Kennedy Onyango's death was the result of severe hemorrhage and the nature of the bullet wound indicates that it was fired from a long range. This is contrary to reports that have been going round that Kennedy was shot eight times," Dr Ndegwa said.

Onyango was shot during anti-Finance Bill protests in Rongai, Kajiado County last week.

The autopsy was conducted at the Ongata Rongai Hospital and witnessed by his family.

Kennedy, a promising young artist with dreams of achieving greatness through art, was described by his parents as a calm and peaceful boy who was not involved in the protests.

"I lack words to describe how I am feeling, my son was killed in the most gruesome manner," said Josinta Anyango, his mother.

Father, Michael Ouma said that on that fateful day, Onyango had simply gone out to borrow a book after returning from school.

"Kennedy was a calm boy and did not participate in the protests that claimed his life," said Ouma.

"On the day of the shooting, he had just come home from school and had gone out to borrow a book."

Kennedy's mother, overwhelmed with grief, described her son's passionate dreams and aspirations. "Kennedy was an artist who loved drawing. He always said that his dream was to go far with his art. Now, that dream is shattered in the hands of rogue police officers who shot my innocent boy," she said amid sobs.

The parents' anguish was palpable as they recounted the loss of their son and condemned the excessive use of force by police.

"We demand justice for Kennedy and for all the other children and youth who have been senselessly killed. This violence must stop," noted Ouma.

Hussein Khalid, a human rights defender affiliated to Vocal Africa, demanded that justice be served. "Kennedy suffered a gunshot wound so severe that it passed through his body, which is a clear indication of the excessive force used by the police," he said.