Police teargas Makueni protesters demanding 'resurrection' of boy, 16

Police on Wednesday lobbed teargas canisters to disperse protesters at Makueni Level 4 Hospital who demanded the body of a 16-year-old boy to be taken for 'resurrection'.

The boy, whose relatives say was set to join Form One on Tuesday, died three days ago as he was being taken to the facility after a short illness.

Residents claimed the boy was 'bewitched' by a woman in Shimo Estate in Wote town.

They demanded that the same woman 'resurrects' the boy.

The woman was saved from the irate mob by police and locked up at the Makueni police station

The mob, who were denied the body by hospital officials, said they believed the boy's life would be 'restored' by the woman

"We have seen the body in the mortuary sweating, he could have resurrected," the protesters said.

Residents had flocked the hospital to see the 'miracle' only to be repulsed by the police with tear gas.

Boda boda riders fled from the scene leaving behind their motorcycles which were taken to the police station by the officers.

Makueni OCS Francis Gichuhi later said the boy died of meningitis.

He accused the chairman of boda boda riders in Wote town of inciting the public.