Boniface Kariuki’s family says he cannot survive without life support after police shooting

The family of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a 22-year-old hawker shot in the head by police during anti-government protests, says he cannot survive without life support, as investigations into the police shooting continue.

Kariuki was shot at close range by an anti-riot officer along Moi Avenue during the June 17 protests in Nairobi. He remains in critical condition at the hospital, heavily reliant on machines to breathe.

Speaking to the press on Monday after a briefing with doctors, family spokesperson Emily Wanjira described his condition as grim.

“To be sincere, he can’t survive without life support. He cannot talk, he cannot see us,” Wanjira said.

Doctors recently conducted a second high-risk surgery lasting four hours to remove bullet fragments lodged in Kariuki’s skull.

Despite the operation, the family says some metal shards remain, posing a serious risk to his recovery.

After the procedure, he was returned to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he is under 24-hour observation.

The family revealed that his hospital bill has now climbed to Sh2.3 million. Kariuki, who was the sole breadwinner, had initially incurred bills amounting to Sh1 million, but the cost has continued to rise sharply due to his intensive care needs.

His shooting has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct during crowd control operations. Human rights organisations have criticised security forces for what they describe as excessive use of force during recent demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has pledged that justice will be served. Through Central Region Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi, who spoke on his behalf, Kanja confirmed that two officers implicated in the shooting have been charged in court and are currently in custody.

“I want to assure you that we are working closely with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and other relevant authorities to ensure that justice is served openly, fairly, and without compromise,” Ndanyi said.

He made the statement while leading a delegation of senior officers on a visit to Kariuki’s family, where he acknowledged the pain they had endured since the incident.

“We are part of the communities we serve, and when one of us is hurt, all of us are affected,” he added.

But despite the assurances, the family continues to struggle with mounting medical expenses, amid growing demands from civil society groups for police accountability. Activists have urged the Interior Ministry and the National Police Service to implement urgent reforms to end alleged abuses and rebuild trust with the public.

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