By Peter Ochieng
Evans Kiratu will be laid to rest in Karambaini, Kiambu County, later today.
Kiratu died earlier this week, about 36 hours after a teargas canister lobbed by anti-riot police exploded on his private parts ripping them apart, during anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations in Nairobi on Thursday last week.
He was rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) where efforts to save his life were fruitless. The 21-year-old died after suffering blunt trauma to the pelvic, abdominal and chest areas.
Hussein Khalid, Haki Africa Executive Director, said Kiratu’s body was picked from the morgue this morning, ahead of the burial in Kiambu.
“We have picked the body of Shujaa Evans Kiratu for burial today at his rural home in Kiambu County. Shujaa Evans was much loved by his family and friends as emotions are running so high,” said the human rights defender.
Meanwhile, the families of Kiratu and Rex Masai, another demonstrator who met his untimely deaths during the protests have received Sh1 million each, out of Sh3 million raised by Kenyans. Rex was shot within the Nairobi Central District (CBD), as he was heading home.
According to activist Honey Farsafi also known as Hanifa, the money was sent to the two families on Thursday, specifically their mothers.
Hanifa who has been one of the bold faces of the protests said the remaining Sh1 million will be handed over to an injured protester.
“The remaining will be sent to the family of Ian, who was shot three times in the back and won’t be able to walk again,” she said in a statement on X.
Kenyans raised Sh3,052,989 to support the families of Rex and Evans, through the M-Changa portal. 7,876 people supported the initiative. The initiative targeted to raise Sh2 million for the two families.