Boniface Kariuki, hawker shot by police during Nairobi protest declared brain dead, family says

Boniface Kariuki, a mask hawker who was shot at point-blank range by police during anti-brutality protests in Nairobi on June 17, has been declared brain dead, according to his family.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, family spokesperson Emily Wanjira said doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital informed them that Kariuki’s brain had stopped functioning completely, even though his organs are still active and he has a pulse.

“Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is confirmed brain dead. We know what it means,” she said.

Wanjira said the update came during a midnight briefing from the hospital.

“We all gathered at the hospital around 12:47 am. The medics needed to have a brief with us, and we have already received it. The reality is that Boniface’s brain is no longer working,” she said.

Round-the-clock care

She added that despite undergoing two surgeries, bullet fragments remain lodged in Kariuki’s head, and he continues to receive round-the-clock care at the intensive care unit.

“The bill now is quite high. We are at three point something (million) now. So we are praying and hoping for the well-wishers,” she said.

The family had lamented the lack of government support despite earlier promises and made an urgent appeal to Kenyans of goodwill to assist with Kariuki’s growing medical expenses.

“A lot of hopes and promises were being given to us, but none have come through. So on behalf of the family, we cry upon all well-wishers,” Wanjira had said.

She urged well-wishers to support them through M-Pesa Paybill number 7682551, with the account being the well-wisher's name, and it will reflect as Boniface Mwangi Kariuki Medical Fund.

The family now demanded justice and accountability from the state, urging the Judiciary to convict and sentence the officer responsible for the shooting.

Kariuki was shot while participating in demonstrations demanding an end to police brutality and better governance—protests largely driven by the country’s youth.

His case has drawn national outrage, with civil society and rights groups demanding urgent reforms and police accountability.

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