Police Deny Halting Kennedy Onyango's Burial, State Father Claimed the Body.

The National Police Service (NPS) has refuted allegations that they prevented the burial of 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango, who was killed during anti-government protests in Ongata Rongai.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome confirmed that the body was released to the boy’s mother, Josinter Anyango Ochieng, for burial. However, he clarified that a family dispute led to a delay in the burial after the boy’s alleged biological father, Denish Okinyi Abaga, obtained a court order halting the proceedings.

"Contrary to misleading reports circulating on social media, we wish to clarify that the body was released to the mother on July 4, 2024," Koome stated. "Upon arrival in Mbita for burial on July 5, 2024, Denish Okinyi Abaga, claiming to be the boy's biological father, presented a court order stopping the burial."

Koome explained that the court order required the police to move the body to Suba Sub-County Hospital Funeral Home for preservation, pending further court directives.

“Civil Suit No. 0028 of 2024, filed at Mbita Law Courts, instructed us to transfer the body, and the OCS Mbita Police Station complied with the order,” he noted.

The Inspector General also addressed reports suggesting the boy was shot eight times, citing a postmortem report indicating he died from a single gunshot wound.

“Pathologist Dr. Ndegwa P.M. confirmed that the boy died from a single gunshot wound inflicted at long range,” stated Koome.

He urged the public to remain calm as the court resolves the burial dispute.

Government pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa, who conducted the postmortem at Ongata Rongai Sub-County Hospital Funeral Home, confirmed that the bullet had shattered the boy’s arteries and punctured his lungs.

Kennedy Onyango’s family recounted that he left home that day to pick up a book from a neighboring classmate but was caught in the violence of the protests, allegedly being shot eight times as the situation escalated with gunfire and looting.

In a Sunday interview, President William Ruto mentioned that the Rongai protests were infiltrated by individuals who even seized a gun from a police officer and fired into the crowds. He stated that investigations will determine whether the boy was shot by police or by these infiltrators.