Father of hawker shot by police in Nairobi pleads for justice as he fights for life in ICU
The shooting occurred on June 17 as demonstrators marched through the city calling for justice for Albert Ojwang’, another victim of police brutality.
Jonah Kariuki is clinging to hope as his 22-year-old son, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, lies in the Intensive Care Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital after being shot in the head by a police officer during protests in Nairobi.
A street hawker just like his father, Boniface had been selling masks near Imenti House when a uniformed officer opened fire at close range, critically injuring him.
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“All I can ask Kenyans is to pray for my son. I’ve seen him, and while his condition is not that bad, it’s not hopeless,” Kariuki said after visiting the hospital on Wednesday.
The shooting occurred on June 17 as demonstrators marched through the city calling for justice for Albert Ojwang’, another victim of police brutality.
Boniface’s father, visibly shaken, said his son was the pride of their family and had worked hard to support himself through hawking.
“I have struggled to raise Boniface Kariuki. I am heartbroken,” he said. “What I want is justice for my son. Police officers should stop shooting innocent Kenyans.”
Jonah Kariuki, the father of mask vendor who was shot by police at Imenti House, Nairobi, speaks out
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 18, 2025
Jonah Kariuki: "I have raised my son (Boniface Kariuki) through hardships. He is just 22 years old, and was hawking masks in Nairobi's CBD."
He was accompanied by Senator Okiya… pic.twitter.com/3PxgViXM5S
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah also visited the hospital to show support for the family.
“I came to see the Boniface, but I’ve been informed I cannot see him because he is in the Intensive Care Unit,” he said.
“Boniface is alive but fighting for his life in the ICU at KNH. We pray for a speedy recovery for Boniface and all other Kenyans injured on Tuesday.”
Health Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth confirmed the young man was in surgery on Tuesday night.
“As we speak, the patient is in theatre with the neurosurgical team,” Amoth said.
He added that an ICU bed had been prepared in anticipation of post-surgery needs. “As a precaution, we have prepared an ICU bed, as a case of this nature requires immediate intensive care support in the post-surgery period.”
The violent encounter, captured on video, showed two officers confronting Boniface before one of them pulled the trigger.
The footage, widely circulated online, sparked national outrage. Bystanders rushed to help the bleeding hawker and took him to the hospital.
The National Police Service later confirmed that the officer involved had been arrested and investigations were ongoing.
“We can confirm the officer has been arrested,” said police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it recorded 22 casualties during the protests in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale.
“The other injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts, whiplashes, blunt trauma, and asthma attacks after inhaling tear gas,” the commission said.
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