Mask Vendor Boniface Kariuki Dies, Family Confirms

Nairobi, Kenya – June 30, 2025 – Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a 22-year-old mask vendor, succumbed to injuries at 3:15 PM on June 30, 2025, at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, nearly two weeks after being shot in the head at close range by a police officer during the “Justice for Ojwang” protests.

His death, confirmed by family spokesperson Emily Wanjira, has reignited public outrage over police brutality in Kenya, with calls for accountability intensifying across the nation.

Kariuki, a hawker from Murang’a County, was selling face masks along Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District on June 17 when he was caught in a violent confrontation between police and protesters.

The demonstrations were sparked by the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody on June 8 under suspicious circumstances, prompting widespread demands for justice and the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

Viral footage captured the chilling moment when two officers, identified as Police Constables Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, confronted Kariuki.

The video shows one officer striking Kariuki before Constable Barasa fired a shot at point-blank range, reportedly with a rubber bullet, that struck Kariuki’s left temple. Bystanders rushed the critically injured vendor to KNH, where he was placed on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Despite undergoing three complex surgeries to remove bullet fragments and address severe brain swelling, Kariuki’s condition deteriorated.

On June 29, doctors declared him brain dead, confirming that his brainstem had ceased functioning, though his heart continued to beat with mechanical assistance.

“We knew what brain death meant,” Wanjira told journalists at KNH.

“His heart was still beating, but we were just waiting for the end.” Kariuki’s father, Jonah Kariuki, expressed profound grief, stating, “My only son was just trying to earn a living. Now he’s gone, and we’re left with a hospital bill over Sh1 million and no justice.”

The shooting has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights organizations, civil society, and the Law Society of Kenya, which labeled the act as “premeditated” and a stark example of excessive police force.

The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ-Kenya) demanded an independent investigation, stating, “Kariuki was not a threat, not armed, not a criminal—just a vendor maliciously targeted by an officer sworn to protect him.”

The incident has also fueled public anger, with activists and Gen Z protesters calling for a “total shutdown” on June 25, the anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax protests that saw dozens killed.

Constables Barasa and Kiprono, both attached to Kileleshwa Police Station, were arrested and interdicted following the shooting.

They appeared at Milimani Law Courts on June 19, where they were detained for 15 days to allow investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Homicide Team.

The officers face charges of causing grievous harm, with potential escalation to murder following Kariuki’s death.

However, skepticism persists among Kenyans, with many questioning the transparency of the investigation. “Everyone saw what happened,” posted X user @_James041 on June 19. “If the law delays justice, we will take the war to their doorsteps.”

Kariuki’s family has faced additional hardship, including a scam that cost them Sh200,000 to fraudsters posing as Social Health Authority officials promising to cover medical expenses.

The family has appealed for public donations to settle the mounting hospital bill, with no government assistance reported as of June 30.

“The silence from the authorities is deafening,” said Wanjira. “No one from IPOA or the National Police Service has reached out to us.”

The “Justice for Ojwang” protests, which Kariuki’s shooting tragically underscored, stem from the custodial death of 31-year-old Albert Ojwang, who was arrested for allegedly defaming Deputy Inspector General Lagat on social media.

An autopsy revealed Ojwang died from assault wounds, contradicting initial police claims of self-inflicted injuries.

Six individuals, including three police officers, have been charged with his murder, and Lagat has stepped aside pending investigation, though protesters continue to demand his resignation.

As Kenya braces for further demonstrations, Kariuki’s death has become a rallying cry for reform. “This is not just about Boniface or Ojwang,” said Wanjiku Thiga, National Youth Leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party.

“It’s about a system that treats unarmed citizens as enemies.” On X, hashtags like #JusticeForBonifaceKariuki and #EndPoliceBrutalityKE have trended, reflecting the growing resolve among Kenyans, particularly the youth, to challenge state violence.

Kariuki’s parents, Jonah Kariuki and Susan Njeri, remain at KNH, grappling with their loss.

“He was our hope,” Susan Njeri said, holding a photo of her son. “All he did was sell masks to survive.” As the nation mourns, the call for justice grows louder, with many vowing that Kariuki’s death will not be in vain.