NAIROBI, Kenya – Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has called on Kenyans to support the family of Boniface Kariuki, the Nairobi street vendor who was recently hospitalized after a brutal assault by two police officers.
In a heartfelt post shared late Wednesday night, Omondi revealed that he had travelled to Murang’a County to visit Kariuki’s parents, describing the family’s circumstances as “extremely humble.”
“Last night, I visited the mother and father of Boniface Kariuki deep in Murang’a County. Boniface comes from an extremely humble background. We are going to stand with this family,” Omondi wrote.
Last night I Visited the Mother and Father of Boniface Kariuki Deep in Muranga County…Boniface comes from an extremely humble background. We are going to Stand with this Family. Please send whatever you can to the Mother’s number on 0700 463254 (NAME: SUSAN NYAMBURA) and the
He appealed to the public to contribute directly to the family to help cover medical and related costs, sharing contact details for Kariuki’s parents — Susan Nyambura and Jonah Kariuki — whose numbers he posted for direct mobile money support.
The hawker was assaulted by police officers Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono in an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated online, sparking national outrage and intensifying calls for police accountability. The two officers are now facing charges of assault.
Omondi, who has recently emerged as one of the loudest celebrity voices in Kenya’s anti-police brutality movement, described the visit as deeply moving, and urged fellow citizens to show compassion.
The visit comes amid a growing wave of youth-led activism driven by social media under the #GenZ banner, with demonstrations and online campaigns demanding justice for victims like Kariuki and the late Albert Ojwang, a blogger who died in police custody.
Kariuki remains in hospital, where he is receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the incident.
His case has become symbolic of the growing frustration over police excesses and the widening divide between law enforcement and ordinary Kenyans.
