Tension continues to rise at the City Mortuary in Nairobi as families of the victims who died during the June 25 protests are still waiting for autopsies to be conducted. Days after the deaths, no proper post-mortems have been done on most of the bodies.
The government pathologist has failed to appear several times, giving “security concerns” as the reason. This has deeply frustrated families who have been showing up every day expecting answers, only to return home with nothing but confusion and pain.
The Independent Police Oversight Authority had already ordered that all bodies be examined, yet the process keeps being delayed. Families say they have been given different reasons every time they come. At one point, they were told the examinations would take place on Sunday, then Monday, then Tuesday.
Even when they were told only two bodies would be examined, they saw it as another sign that something is wrong. One relative said they arrived early in the morning, waited all day, and left with no explanation about why the post-mortems weren’t done.
The back and forth between IPOA and mortuary staff has added to the chaos. Mortuary officials claim IPOA hasn’t completed the required paperwork, while IPOA insists that everything is ready and the autopsies should continue.
Meanwhile, the families are left standing outside the gate, watching time pass and feeling more helpless by the day. Some said they just want the truth and to give their loved ones a respectful burial. The pain of losing someone is hard enough, but not knowing what happened or being denied closure makes it even worse.
The bigger issue behind these deaths is the protest that took place on June 25. People across the country were demonstrating against the Finance Bill, but the response from security forces turned violent.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 19 confirmed deaths and over 500 injuries. There were also reports of disappearances, arrests, and even sexual violence. Yet, not a single police officer has been arrested or charged.
This delay in autopsies is now seen by many as part of a larger plan to hide the truth. A human rights activist said the more the government delays, the more suspicious it looks.
Families fear that without these autopsies, they will lose key evidence that could be used to hold those responsible accountable. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has demanded answers, but the silence from authorities has only added to the anger.Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has also come under fire.
In a leaked video, he was heard saying that police officers involved in civilian shootings would not cooperate with IPOA. This came just days after he was accused of encouraging officers to use deadly force.
Even though he later tried to explain that his words were misunderstood, many people believe he was giving the police a free pass to act without fear of punishment.
Murkomen’s comments, along with the failure to conduct autopsies, have caused even more people to believe the government is covering up what happened.
Online campaigns using hashtags like #JusticeForJune25 are growing stronger, and more people are calling for international help. Families are now asking the courts and global human rights organizations to step in and ensure that justice is done.
One father said they will not be silenced, no matter how hard the government tries to delay or confuse the process. All they want is the truth, justice for their loved ones, and the right to mourn in peace.
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