Three killed in June 25 protests at Emali were shot, postmortems reveal
Postmortem examinations have confirmed that two protesters killed during the June 25th demonstrations in Emali Town, Makueni County, died from gunshot wounds—findings that have triggered grief, outrage, and calls for justice from bereaved families.
The autopsies, conducted at Kilome MNH Hospital Mortuary, revealed that Garson Mutisya, 33, and Makau Mualuko, 23, sustained fatal gunshot wounds to the chest, with the bullets exiting through their backs.
Their families are now demanding accountability, insisting that their loved ones were unlawfully killed during the anti-government protests.
“It’s now clear that my brother was shot dead by the police,” said Victor Mulwa, brother to Makau Mualuko. “We are asking the government for thorough investigations and justice.”
Family spokesperson for Garson Mutisya, Robinson Musyoki, echoed similar sentiments, expressing deep sorrow while calling for support to give the young man a dignified sendoff.
“We are in deep pain as a family, but we are satisfied with the postmortem results,” Musyoki said in Swahili. “He was his mother’s only son. We plead with well-wishers to help us bury him with dignity—his blood will not be shed in vain.”
The wave of mourning extends beyond Makueni County. In Nairobi’s Pipeline area, the family of Abdul Juma Okello, 21, is also grappling with loss.
Okello is reported to have been shot in the head along the Pipeline footbridge during the same day of protests.
He succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon and his body now lies at the Kenyatta National Hospital mortuary. His postmortem is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1st.
The deaths of Mutisya, Mualuko, and Okello add to a growing toll of lives lost during the June 25th demonstrations.
Four additional bodies, currently at City Mortuary—including that of Ian Opango, who was fatally shot in Ongata Rongai—are also set to undergo postmortem examinations on Tuesday.
As pressure mounts, families are urging authorities to expedite investigations, identify those behind the fatal shootings, and ensure justice is served.
“We are also requesting government support for burial expenses,” added Mulwa. “As we mourn, we await justice.”
