The burial of Boniface Kariuki, a masks vendor who was shot dead by a police officer in Nairobi city centre on June 17 during protests is going on in Kangema, Murang’a county.
Kariuki was shot at close range and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
He remained in the Intensive Care Unit for two weeks before being declared brain dead.
Heavy police contingent has been deployed in the area.
The funeral procession left Kenya University mortuary this morning. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko supported the family with a hearse and his Sonko Rescue Team.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved murder charges against Police Constable Klinzy Masinde Barasa over the fatal shooting.
The decision was delivered on Wednesday at the Milimani Law Courts, where Trial Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi also ruled to release a second suspect, Constable Duncan Kiprono, citing insufficient evidence linking him to the shooting.
The court terminated the miscellaneous application against Kiprono and ordered his immediate release, stating that there were no compelling grounds to continue holding him.
Barasa, who was captured on camera allegedly shooting Kariuki during a protest incident, will now be arraigned before the High Court to take plea on a charge of murder.
