In a gut-wrenching turn of events, Boniface Kariuki, a Nairobi street vendor, has tragically passed away after being shot in the head by police during chaotic protests two weeks ago. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news with spokeswoman Emily Wanjira sobbing, “Boniface is gone. We just saw his body.”
The drama unfolded on June 17 when Kariuki, a mask vendor, was caught in the crossfire as cops cracked down on protests in Nairobi, sparked by the shocking death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, 31, in custody. Witnesses say Kariuki was shot at close range, leaving him fighting for his life at Nairobi’s main public hospital. Despite multiple surgeries, doctors couldn’t save him—bullet fragments were reportedly still lodged in his brain. After nearly two weeks on life support, medics delivered the devastating news: his heart was beating, but his brain was done.
The tragedy has ignited a firestorm in Kenya, with locals raging over alleged police brutality. Kariuki’s family is pleading for the government to cover his massive hospital bills after they turned to crowdfunding for help. Meanwhile, two cops linked to the shooting are cooling their heels in custody, but they haven’t entered pleas yet as the investigation drags on. The family’s demanding answers, like, yesterday!
Kenya’s streets have been a battleground lately, with protests erupting over police violence. Rights groups claim at least 19 people were killed in clashes last Wednesday, but authorities are pointing fingers at protesters, accusing them of attacking police stations. Director of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin dropped a bombshell, revealing 485 arrests for everything from murder to terrorism and looting. “No one’s getting away with hiding behind ‘peaceful protests’ to commit crimes,” Amin snapped, hinting at more arrests as they comb through CCTV and phone data.
Amin also claimed 11 officers were seriously injured, some with life-threatening wounds. Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen didn’t hold back either, calling the protests “terrorism disguised as dissent” and telling cops to “shoot on sight” if stations are attacked—a move that’s got lawyers and rights groups up in arms.
In another wild twist, a Kenyan High Court is putting the heat on Police Insp Gen Douglas Kanja to produce missing blogger Ndiangui Kinyagia, who vanished after being detained last week. The court’s like, “Show us the guy in 24 hours or explain yourself in court!”
Stay tuned—this story’s far from over as Kenya’s streets boil with demands for justice.
