NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Chief Justice David Maraga isn’t mincing words. In a sharp rebuke of police conduct during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi, Maraga has condemned what he called an inhumane act: the point-blank shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki by a police officer.
Kariuki, seen in widely circulated videos online, was accosted by two officers while selling face masks to protesters in the CBD.
What should have been a routine moment turned violent when one of the officers drew his weapon and fired directly at him.
“Boniface Kariuki was shot point-blank, cold, without a drop of humanity,” Maraga said in a strongly worded statement that has reignited the national conversation on police brutality in Kenya.
The shooting, which unfolded in the middle of a protest calling for justice over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, has further escalated public outrage. Ojwang died in police custody under suspicious circumstances, and calls for accountability have only grown louder since.
As of Wednesday morning, Kariuki was undergoing surgery, with ICU care prepared for recovery. Health Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth confirmed that a neurosurgical team was operating on the victim, who remains in critical condition.
Tuesday’s protest, which began peacefully, quickly spiraled into chaos as police deployed teargas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators.
By nightfall, the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) had reported at least 22 casualties from shootings and other violent encounters linked to the demonstrations.
Maraga blamed the government’s use of “rogue operatives” and goons for the spike in violence, adding that the country was teetering on a dangerous edge if such state-sanctioned aggression continued unchecked.
But amidst the darkness, Maraga offered a note of hope—and deep respect—for Kenya’s youth.
“We celebrate the bravery and relentless pursuit of justice and accountability led by the young people of Kenya,” he said. “Your efforts are not in vain.”
He called the youth the custodians of Kenya’s present and future, lauding their resilience, sacrifice, and refusal to back down.
In his words, the youth movement has sparked a moral awakening that demands a national reset.
“It’s time for Kenya to rebuild and return to constitutionalism and the rule of law,” Maraga declared, framing this moment as a critical turning point in the country’s democratic journey.
While the government has yet to issue a formal response on the Kariuki shooting, pressure is mounting from all corners—human rights groups, opposition leaders, and now a former Chief Justice—for a transparent investigation and urgent reforms in policing tactics.
With trust in law enforcement at a breaking point and social media amplifying every frame of injustice, the road ahead may be tense.
But if Tuesday’s events proved anything, it’s that Kenya’s young people are far from done demanding justice—and they’re not afraid to face tear gas, batons, or bullets to get it.
