Boniface Kariuki’s final call: A mother’s warning, a son’s promise, a nation’s shame

A nation’s heartbreak unfolded at the All Saints Cathedral as family, friends, and activists gathered to mourn 23-year-old Boniface Kariuki, a humble mask vendor whose life was cut short by a police bullet during recent protests in Nairobi.

The grief was raw. Kariuki’s mother, Susan Njeri, spoke through a written tribute read by a relative, recalling her final phone call with her son.

“In our last phone call, I asked you to send me some money and cautioned you not to attend the protests. You told me, ‘Mum, I will not go’. You even spoke to your younger siblings. We did not know those would be your last words,” her letter read, drawing tears from those present.

His father, Jonah Kariuki, remained silent throughout the memorial. In his tribute, he described the loss as unbearable.

“An older boy is the same as the father. My heart is in pain, and I do not know if it will ever end. I am just waiting for justice to prevail, but for now, I will rest so that you can rest, even though it is not easy,” he said.

Kariuki, who was shot by police at close range outside Imenti House on June 17, had been selling masks to support his family.

He was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital and remained in the ICU for two weeks before he was pronounced brain-dead and later died on June 30.

His friend, Edwin Wamunyoro, who introduced him to hawking, shared their last conversation.

“He told me he was going to buy a box of masks for Sh150 and sell them for a profit of Sh800. I told him that it was a good idea and left. I never knew it would be the last time I saw him,” he said, describing Kariuki as intelligent, hardworking and full of dreams, one of which was to build a house for his mother.

“It pains me that my friend, who was simply trying to make an honest living, was shot dead by police. We say ‘No’ to extrajudicial killings! Today it is Kariuki, tomorrow, it could be any of us.”

Only one politician, Starehe MP Amos Mwago, attended the service. He blamed the government for fuelling violence and failing to protect young people like Kariuki.

“The government cannot run away from the atrocities it is committing. Gen Z protests were peaceful until the government chose to infiltrate them with goons. The result has been bloodshed,” he said.

Mwago warned that Parliament is under siege and that change must come through accountability and new leadership.

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• Imenti House Police brutality
• Boniface Kariuki
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• Boniface Kariuki’s final call: A mother’s warning
• a son’s promise

“I was happy to see Kenyans rise and reject the Finance Bill, 2024. Let us vote for leaders based on their integrity and history. It’s not a must to kill in order to lead.”

Comedian and activist Eric Omondi, who has become a vocal critic of police brutality, gave an emotional address.

“I am ashamed. My father, who was a senior police officer, must be turning in his grave because of the killings that we are seeing. This makes me wonder what kind of country we have become,” he said.

“Enough is enough. The cameras are watching. If you shoot a Kenyan today, the law will come for you personally. We now have a police force, not a police service.”

Kariuki’s family confirmed he will be laid to rest at their rural home in Kangema, Murang’a County. They appealed for support from the public to help them give him a dignified send-off.

The pain of Kariuki’s loss now speaks to a deeper national wound. He is one of at least 19 Kenyans who have died during recent protests, with more than 400 others injured, many from live bullets.

As night fell, mourners held a candlelight vigil near the spot where Kariuki was shot. With each flame, a clear message was carried into the cold Nairobi air: No more fear. No more blood. Justice for Boniface.