Joseph Isangura
Boniface Kariuki, a 29-year-old face mask vendor in Nairobi, has been declared brain dead after being shot in the head by police during anti-government protests on June 17, 2024.
The shooting occurred amid widespread demonstrations against Kenya’s controversial Finance Bill 2024, which has sparked nationwide unrest.
Speaking at Kenyatta National Hospital on Sunday, Kariuki’s family confirmed that doctors informed them his brain has stopped functioning, even though his heart and other organs remain active. He has undergone two operations to remove the bullet and has been on life support in the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) ever since.
“He just went out that day to sell face masks — not to riot, not to protest — just to provide for his family,” said one of his sisters. “Now we’re being told we should prepare for the worst.”
The Finance Bill has sparked public outrage for proposing new taxes on essential goods and services, fueling tensions in a country where many citizens are already grappling with rising cost of living.
During the protests, civil society and human rights groups have accused Kenyan police of using excessive force to disperse demonstrators. According to Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), several protestors have been injured or killed since the demonstrations began.
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The shooting of Kariuki, who was not armed or posing any threat, has intensified criticism of the police. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the civilian body mandated to investigate misconduct within Kenya’s police service, has opened a formal inquiry into the incident.
Kenya’s Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly under Article 37, yet recent events have raised concerns that those rights are being eroded.
Calls for reform are growing, with activists urging the government to hold accountable those responsible for using lethal force on unarmed civilians. Religious leaders, civil society organizations, and opposition politicians have all demanded justice for Kariuki and others hurt in the demonstrations.
As of Monday, Kariuki remains on life support. His family, camped at his bedside, continue to pray for a miracle, even as medical experts warn of the bleak prognosis.
For many Kenyans, Kariuki’s story is a painful reflection of how quickly a normal day can turn into tragedy — and a powerful symbol of the price ordinary citizens pay in the struggle for justice and accountability.
