Charles Owino, the Director General of the National Communication Centre, has publicly criticized the conduct of the police officer involved in the shooting of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the mask vendor now declared brain dead following recent anti-government protests. Owino's remarks, made on Monday, represent a crucial acknowledgment from within the police hierarchy that the use of force in this tragic incident was disproportionate and inappropriate, despite alleged provocation.
Boniface Mwangi Kariuki was shot at close range with a rubber bullet during a confrontation between police and protesters in Nairobi. The severe injury led to his admission to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he underwent two agonizing surgeries. Tragically, doctors have since declared him brain dead, a devastating outcome for his family and a stark reminder of the escalating tensions during the recent demonstrations.
Owino, addressing the incident, emphasized the critical importance of police training in exercising restraint, even in the face of verbal abuse or challenging situations. "It was a very simple exchange. If you listen to that clip closely, you will hear that boy abusing the policeman’s mother,” Owino stated, referring to a widely circulated clip of the confrontation. Yet, he was unequivocal in his condemnation of the officer's response: "But that is not something that should make you shoot. You are an officer; you must have restraint.”
This assertion from a high-ranking police official highlights the established protocols governing the use of firearms by law enforcement. Police officers, Owino reiterated, are rigorously trained on the justifiable application of force and are expected to uphold these principles even in high-pressure scenarios. "Police officers are aware that they will always find themselves in situations where they have to act on their own without the opportunity to refer to their books or their superiors,” he explained. “It is something that should be grown in you. You should know when you should use [your firearm] and when you should not. And that is why policemen take individual responsibilities.” Owino acknowledged the severe damage the incident has inflicted on the image of the police service.
The tragic consequences for Boniface Mwangi Kariuki are profound. His family confirmed that he remains on life support, with fragments of the bullet still lodged in his brain. "Doctors told us there is no hope of recovery,” shared family spokesperson Emily Wanjira, painting a grim picture of their current reality. Adding to their immense grief, Boniface’s father, Jonah Kariuki, revealed that the mounting hospital bill has already surpassed Sh1 million, placing an unbearable financial burden on the family.
