- Boniface Kariuki, a hawker shot during protests, is alive and in the hospital.
- His father shared an emotional message after visiting him at KNH.
- A close friend also confirmed Boniface’s condition and urged the public not to believe false death rumours.
- The incident has caused public outrage, with leaders demanding accountability.
- The police officer involved in the shooting has been arrested on orders from the Inspector-General.
Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, father to 22-year-old Boniface, broke his silence after visiting his son in the hospital. Boniface was shot in the head during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi. Speaking to the press, Jonah shared how tough it had been raising his son and how the shooting deeply hurt him.
“He’s my son. I brought him up through so many struggles. What happened is very painful,” Jonah said, holding back tears. “But we are hopeful and praying. He’s alive.”
Amid confusion online, Boniface’s fellow hawker and friend, Edwin Kagia, confirmed that Boniface is alive. He said they had seen him at Kenyatta National Hospital and urged people not to spread false news about his death.
“We’ve been with him in the ward. He’s alive. Ignore the online rumours. We’re only praying that he recovers fully,” Edwin said.
The shooting happened right in Nairobi’s CBD while protesters were out demanding justice for Albert Ojwang, a student who died while in police custody. Videos showed Boniface being brutally attacked and then shot at close range by an officer.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed his shock and anger. He questioned the actions of the police and said it pointed to a bigger problem of police brutality.
“Why shoot a young man selling masks? What kind of training is this? And just after Ojwang’s death?” Gachagua posed.
Police Officer Arrested
Following the public pressure and viral outrage, the National Police Service confirmed that the officer who shot Boniface had been arrested. According to a statement from the NPS, the Inspector-General ordered the immediate arrest and court process against the officer involved.
“We have taken note of the incident involving an unarmed civilian who was shot by an officer using an anti-riot gun. The IG ordered the arrest, and the officer is now in custody,” the statement read.
