Doctor says post-mortem shows student died instantly

Slain Meru University Students Association Secretary-General Evans Njoroge (centre) addresses the media on November 14, 2017. A post-mortem was conducted on March 3, 2018. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The student leader was shot dead on February 27.
  • Njuri Ncheke elders have called for the immediate arrest of the police officer who shot the student.

A post-mortem was done on Meru University student leader Evans Njoroge at the Meru Level Five Hospital on Saturday.

The post-mortem was led by government pathologist Johansen Oduor in the presence of a team of doctors, Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (Ipoa) officials and criminal investigation officers.

POST-MORTEM

Several students kept vigil at the hospital mortuary alongside Njoroge's family.

Speaking after the post-mortem, family doctor Moses Njue said the examination indicates Njoroge was shot on contact with a pistol.

He said the student leader was shot through the back of the head and the bullet exited through the ear causing instant death.

Dr Njue said the post-mortem report would be ready in two to three weeks.

"We have established that the pistol was placed on his head and shot. The single shot caused multiple skull fractures and damage on the brain leading to instant death," he said.

KILLED

Njoroge was gunned down on Tuesday as he attempted to flee from police during student demonstrations in Nchiru Market along the Meru-Maua road.

The 23-year-old, a vibrant and outspoken leader, was a fourth year student pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Residents of Nchiru recounted how a police officer pursued Njoroge, spotted him hiding under a tree and shot him.

ARREST

Meanwhile, the Njuri Ncheke – Meru elders – have demanded the immediate arrest of the police officer who pulled the trigger.

Buuri Ncheke elders gathered at the Nchiru shrine next to Meru University of Science and Technology and threatened to arrest the rogue police officer if he is not apprehended by Monday.

This is after a group of students hijacked the elders' meeting and sought audience with the council.

PROBE

Njuri Ncheke Secretary-General Josphat Murangiri said the elders would form a committee comprising of professionals to probe the unrest at the university.

They also resolved to push for an overhaul of the university management led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Japhet Magambo.

"We are shocked that the authorities are yet to arrest the police officer who pulled the trigger. If the suspect is not arrested by Monday, Njuri Ncheke elders will just hunt him down and lynch him.

“Njuri Ncheke did not allocate the land to be used as a killing ground. The dream of the elders in the 1960s was to have a Makerere in Meru," Mr Murangiri said.

Pressure has been mounting for Prof Magambo to step aside over the student unrest.