Boniface Kariuki: Sombre Scenes as Eric Omondi Leads Mourners in Wearing Masks to Honour Hawker

• Mourners at All Saints Cathedral were left visibly shaken after Eric Omondi’s symbolic gesture evoked the very item that Boniface Kariuki was selling when tragedy struck
• Eric’s powerful speech turned heads as he directly criticised President William Ruto's shoot-to-injure directive
• The comedian also made a bold declaration about the events unfolding in the country, calling on the clergy to offer prayers for the nation

Comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi once again tugged the hearts of Kenyans during a powerful tribute to Boniface Kariuki.

Kariuki is the hawker who was shot in the head at close range by police during anti-brutality protests in Nairobi.

What did Eric Omondi say at Kariuki's requiem mass?

The emotional requiem mass, held on July 9 at All Saints Cathedral, drew close family, friends, and mourners who gathered to celebrate the life of the young mask vendor.

Eric, who has been supporting the family from the moment Kariuki was shot until his passing, delivered a moving eulogy that echoed the pain, anger, and growing calls for justice.

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In his tribute, he condemned President William Ruto’s controversial shoot-to-injure directive targeting goons, warning that such policies endanger innocent lives.

“I want to say pole to mzee and mum. I want to ask the church to pray for this nation, something is very off. Amesema wapige kwa mguu, we need prayers, because when the president asks the servicemen to shoot citizens, in that chaos, you never know. Let us refrain from using bullets, whether live or rubber,” he said.

The comedian then recounted how he urged the government to let Kariuki's shooting mark the end of police brutality through his silent protest dubbed Mask Friday.

However, just days later, a 12-year-old girl and several others were killed during the chaotic Saba Saba demonstrations.

How did mourners honour Kariuki?

In a symbolic and emotional moment, Omondi distributed face masks to the mourners and asked them to wear them in memory of Kariuki, as they were similar to the ones he was selling when he was shot.

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"I want us to take a minute of silence to celebrate our brother. Vaa hio mask because this is what he was selling," he told the hushed congregation.

Omondi ended his speech with a powerful declaration of hope, telling mourners that the ongoing struggle is part of a much bigger transformation in the country.

"Wakati wa a new Kenya umefika. Keep fighting, we will get there," he said.

How was Boniface Kariuki's mother during the mass?

TUKO.co.ke also highlighted the emotional moment when the body of the young hawker was slowly wheeled into the church.

As the procession made its way to the pulpit, his grieving mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, was unable to follow.

Instead, she veered off and quietly took her seat, where she began crying.

Throughout the service, she continued to cry and appeared visibly distressed.

At one point, two of Kariuki's sisters broke down in tears alongside her.

Their father also looked deeply heartbroken, with grief clearly written on his face.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke