A heart-wrenching announcement from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Sunday has plunged the family of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki into profound grief and reignited a national outcry for accountability. The 22-year-old mask vendor, who was shot at close range by a police officer during recent anti-government protests in Nairobi, has tragically been declared brain dead by doctors. This devastating news underscores the perilous human cost of the ongoing confrontations between citizens and law enforcement.
Emily Wanjira, the family spokesperson, delivered the somber update to journalists, revealing the dire medical prognosis. "We received a call from the hospital at 12.47 am saying that they needed to have a brief with us, and we have been told what is happening," Wanjira recounted, her voice heavy with sorrow. "The reality of things is that Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is declared brain-dead. The brainstem of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is not working any longer." This medical assessment leaves no hope for recovery, shattering the family's last vestiges of optimism.
The tragic incident unfolded amidst heightened tensions on Tuesday, June 25, when hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Nairobi. Boniface Kariuki, a hawker like his father, was reportedly holding a packet of face masks when he became an unwitting casualty. Eyewitness accounts and visual evidence suggest he was caught in a confrontation involving two officers. Shockingly, one officer, whose face was concealed by a mask, allegedly shot him in the head with a rubber bullet at close range, even as Kariuki was walking away from the scene.
Boniface's critical condition has necessitated extensive medical intervention, resulting in a soaring hospital bill that now exceeds Ksh3 million. "We are praying and hoping for the well-wishers because when someone is declared brain dead, we know what it means, so the brainstem of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is not working any longer," Wanjira added, making an urgent appeal for financial assistance to manage the mounting costs of life support.
This tragedy occurs against a backdrop of escalating public anger over police conduct during demonstrations. The Tuesday protests, during which Boniface was shot, were themselves fueled by tensions surrounding the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who was found deceased while in custody at the Central Police Station. The sequence of events – Ojwang's death prompting protests, followed by Boniface Kariuki's critical injury – has intensified public demand for justice and accountability for alleged police brutality.
The family of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is now resolutely demanding action against the officer responsible for his fatal injury. Their plea resonates with a growing number of voices across Kenya, calling for thorough investigations, transparency, and an end to impunity for officers who use excessive force against unarmed civilians. The case of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki stands as a poignant symbol of the urgent need for police reform and a renewed commitment to human rights in the nation's response to public dissent.
