The family of 18-year-old Maximilian Muiruri is set to lay him to rest today in Maragua following his tragic death during fuel price protests in Thika, where he was reportedly shot by police on Monday, May 18, 2026.
According to family accounts, Maximilian was shot in the stomach and died instantly just a few metres from his home in the Biafra area, Thika, during demonstrations sparked by rising fuel costs that have triggered nationwide unrest.
The burial comes as emotions remain high, with the family calling for accountability and justice over the circumstances surrounding his death. Relatives say a bullet was recovered from the body during a postmortem examination conducted on Tuesday, further deepening questions about the use of force during the protests.
Family members described the late teenager as a calm and ambitious young man whose life was cut short in what they term as a preventable tragedy. They have urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The incident has once again placed a spotlight on police conduct during public demonstrations, with human rights observers and members of the public calling for restraint and adherence to lawful crowd control procedures during protests.
The fuel protests, which erupted in several towns across the country, were driven by public anger over rising fuel prices and the escalating cost of living, which many Kenyans say has become unbearable.
In Thika, the demonstrations turned chaotic as security officers moved in to disperse crowds, leading to running battles between police and protesters in several areas.
Maximilian’s death has since become one of the most widely discussed cases arising from the protests, with his family insisting that justice must be served not only for closure but also to prevent similar incidents in future demonstrations.
As preparations for the burial continue in Maragua, relatives and community members are expected to gather to pay their final respects to the young man whose death has sparked grief and renewed debate over policing methods during civil unrest.
The family has appealed to the government and oversight bodies to take swift action, saying accountability will help restore public trust and ensure that the right to protest is protected without loss of life.
