A Form Three student who was shot by police during last week’s Saba Saba protest was laid to rest on Wednesday in an emotional ceremony, where he was hailed as a hero alongside other youths who died advocating for positive change in the country.
The mood was sombre, with speeches occasionally interrupted by angry outbursts from mourners as James Wambugu was buried at Katheri village in Meru County on Wednesday.
Wambugu, the last-born son of Directorate of Criminal Investigation officer Lawrence Kiriinya, was shot on July 7, 2025, at Likii Estate, Nanyuki.
Pallbearers carry the casket bearing the remains of 23-year-old student James Wambugu, who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the Saba Saba protests in Nanyuki town, at his funeral in Katheri village, Meru County, on July 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation
That day, he had refused to attend classes at Bingwa Secondary School and instead travelled to town, about eight kilometres away, to join the protests.
Tension escalated when officers from the DCI restricted speeches, allowing only the presiding priest to speak freely.
The DCI officers arrived at the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary, collected Wambugu’s body, and escorted the hearse to his parents’ home in Katheri village, about eight kilometres away.
The move, which caught the family off guard, was prompted by intelligence reports suggesting that youth protesters planned to hijack the casket and march with it to the Nanyuki Police Station.
“We were instructed last night to assemble at the mortuary at 6 am nd sure enough, DCI officers were there to escort the hearse home,” said a family member who requested anonymity.
Upon arrival at the home around 7 am, DCI officers took control of the burial program and instructed the master of ceremonies, David Murithi, to allow only close family members to speak, with strict orders to avoid political controversy.
“You’ll forgive me for denying some people a chance to speak, but I’m under firm instructions to limit the number of speakers. I know there are political aspirants here, but they’ll have to bear with us,” said Mr Murithi.
Fr Roy Mwiti blesses the casket containing the remains of 23-year-old student James Wambugu, who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the Saba Saba protests in Nanyuki town, at his funeral in Katheri village, Meru County, on July 16, 2025.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation
However, Fr Roy Mwiti, who presided over the ceremony, refused to be silenced. He revealed that someone had attempted to dictate how he should conduct the sermo,n but he proceeded to deliver a fiery address condemning the Kenya Kwanza government.
“To the police officers and government agencies involved in killing young people who are airing genuine grievances—you may kill the body, but you will not suppress the spirit. James died a hero, shot by a policeman and though we bury him today, his spirit lives on,” said the priest from Katheri/Ndemu Parish.
Fr Mwiti warned police officers who blindly follow orders to shoot peaceful protesters that their actions would haunt them forever.
He described the killing of unarmed youths armed only with national flags, water bottles and mobile phones as cruel and unjust.
“You may kill to protect your job, and even accumulate wealth from your evil actions, but you will never know peace. We may not know today who fired the bullet that killed this young man, but wherever that person is, I doubt they’re sleeping peacefully,” he added.
Local leaders who have remained silent as the government deploys brutal force against protesters were also harshly criticised by the priest and a few brave mourners who pushed their way to the podium.
Ms Joyce Wangui, a human rights defender who spoke after being invited by the priest, reprimanded elected leaders for failing to hold police accountable.
“Police have been instructed to shoot protesters in the leg. Yet some who were shot in the leg have died. They can continue killing, but their day of reckoning is coming when we vote this government out,” she said.
An autopsy conducted on Tuesday in the presence of representatives from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), and other human rights organisations, confirmed that he died from severe internal bleeding caused by a bullet wound.
