Boniface Kariuki: Hawker Recounts Moment Police Officer Shot Friend Selling Masks During Demos
- A Nairobi hawker has given a firsthand account of the moment his friend Boniface Mwangi Kariuki was shot by police during protests near Imenti House
- Edwin Kagia said the 22-year-old hawker was unarmed and had raised his hands in surrender when a masked officer slapped him, then shot him point-blank with a shotgun
- The incident, caught on video and widely shared online, shows Kariuki raising his hands before being struck and shot by a police officer
- Bystanders screamed and rushed to his aid as he collapsed on the pavement, his wares scattered and blood pooling beneath him
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
A Nairobi hawker has recounted the harrowing moment his friend, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, was shot at close range by a police officer during protests in the city centre.
Source: Twitter
Edwin Kagia, who was vending masks alongside Boniface near Imenti House on Tuesday, June 17, gave a chilling account of how the encounter unfolded.
Kagia explained that after police slapped the 22-year-old mask hawker, he raised his hands, a global sign of surrender.
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However, the officer, face covered with a keffiyeh and holding a Remington Model 870 pump-action shotgun, shot Kariuki at point-blank sending him to the ground.
"Yesterday, we were going about our usual business, selling masks with Boniface Mwangi Kariuki. Unfortunately, he was vending masks near Imenti House when a police officer approached. The officer began by throwing tear gas, and then slapped him. After that, Boniface raised his hands in surrender. That’s when the officer shot him, and he collapsed," Kagia recalled, visibly still shaken after more than 12 hours of the incident.
The incident was caught on camera and shared widely across social media, sparking national outrage.
In the viral clip, two officers are seen storming toward an unarmed Boniface, who appears to surrender.
Without provocation, one officer hits him, then shoots him in the head. The young hawker collapses instantly, his wares spilling on the pavement as terrified bystanders rush to his aid.
How is Boniface Kariuki's health?
Kagia confirmed that Boniface was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he was admitted to the emergency wing and treated for a gunshot wound.
Source: UGC
He further clarified that the young lad is still battling for his life, dismissing assertions that he had succumbed to his injuries.
"He was then brought here to Kenyatta Hospital, where he’s currently being treated by doctors. I have personally seen him together with his father, Jonah Kariuki, and I can confirm that he is alive. There’s a narrative going around on social media that he passed away, I want to clarify to Kenyans that Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is alive, and we are praying to God for his recovery," Edwin explained.
Edwin lamented that it was painful that Boniface was shot while trying to make an honest living, unlike goons and thieves who were robbing and clashing with peaceful protesters.
"This is a young man who was hustling honestly. While many other youths were stealing from people, Boniface was genuinely earning a living by selling masks," he added.
Boniface’s father, John Kariuki, also a hawker, visited his son in the hospital and expressed anguish at the attack.
What action did police take after Kariuki's shooting?
As earlier reported, the officer who shot Boniface has since been arrested following public uproar.
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the arrest and pledged to arraign the suspect.
The protests that led to the shooting were part of a larger public outcry against police brutality, sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
Ojwang's case has drawn international attention, prompting the resignation of Eliud Lagat, the second in command at the police service, who had reportedly initiated the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
