NAIROBI, Kenya — The family of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the 22-year-old hawker shot during Tuesday’s anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi, has confirmed that he is alive and undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
His father, John Kariuki, said the bullet pierced through his son’s head just above the ear but assured Kenyans that Boniface’s condition was stable after undergoing emergency surgery.
“All I can ask Kenyans is to pray for my son. I have seen him, and while he’s not fully out of danger, his condition is not hopeless,” said a visibly shaken Kariuki outside KNH on Wednesday.
Boniface, a street vendor who sells face masks near Imenti House in the Nairobi CBD, was unarmed when he was shot at close range by a uniformed police officer.
The shooting happened during a protest over the death of another young man, Albert Ojwang’, who allegedly died in police custody.
“He is my pride, I want justice”
Kariuki described his son as the pride of his family—a hardworking young man who hustled daily on the streets just like his father.
“I’ve struggled to raise Boniface. He is my pride. I am heartbroken by what happened. Police must stop shooting innocent Kenyans,” he said.
Boniface Mwangi, 22-year-old hawker shot by police is alive; his father Jonah Kariuki confirms
He was accompanied by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who condemned the attack and called for accountability.
The senator said he had intended to visit Boniface in person but was informed the young man was in the Intensive Care Unit and unavailable for visits.
“Boniface Kariuki is alive but fighting for his life in the ICU at KNH. We pray for his speedy recovery and for justice to be served,” Omtatah said.
Surgery and Arrests
KNH officials confirmed that Boniface underwent surgery led by a neurosurgical team.
Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth said the patient was taken to theatre Tuesday night, and ICU support had been prepared in advance due to the severity of the head injury.
“As we speak, the patient is in theatre with the neurosurgical team,” said Dr. Amoth. “We’ve secured an ICU bed for immediate post-operative care.”
Meanwhile, two police officers—Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono—who were filmed shooting at and assaulting Boniface in broad daylight are expected to be arraigned in court today.
Their arrest comes amid mounting public outrage over the rising number of civilian injuries and deaths linked to excessive police force.
