Boniface Kariuki’s viewing draws outpouring of grief ahead of his burial in Kangema
Emotions ran high as mourners assembled to pay their final respects to the young man whose life was cut short during the demonstrations.
Tearful scenes played out at the Kenyatta University Funeral Home on Friday morning as friends and relatives of Boniface Kariuki, the mask vendor who was shot dead by police during the June 17 protests in Nairobi, gathered to view his body ahead of burial.
Emotions ran high as mourners assembled to pay their final respects to the young man whose life was cut short during the demonstrations.
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At the mortuary, small clusters of mourners stood quietly, while others lined up to view the body.
Sonko Rescue Team crew assist in attending to a mourner during Boniface Kariuki's viewing at KU Funeral Home. (Photo: Handout/X)
Some were silent in disbelief, holding back tears. Others openly wept, unable to come to terms with the loss.
Boniface’s mother collapsed to the ground, crying uncontrollably. Family members, friends, and medical staff rushed to her side, trying to console her. The pain in the room was visible and heavy.
Several mourners held Kenyan flags during the body viewing, a symbol of national grief and unity in mourning.
A section of mourners during the viewing of Boniface Kariuki's body. (Photo: Handout/X)
Others broke into soft Christian hymns, their voices trembling, weighed by the moment's outpouring emotion as they milled around the white coffin.
The hymns echoed in the sombre hall as mourners remembered the man whose life was tragically cut short.
Some family members stayed outside, too heartbroken to go in.
Others sat on benches or leaned on one another for support, quietly crying as the reality of the loss sank in. A few relatives fainted and were quickly attended to by the medical team present.
The hearse ferrying Boniface Kariuki's body departs for Kangema, Murang'a County. (Photo: Handout/X)
Sonko Rescue Team, led by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, paid for the white coffin, offered the hearse, and covered several funeral-related costs to ease the family’s burden during the otherwise painful day.
Boniface Kariuki will be buried later today at his family’s home in Kangema, Murang’a County.
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