Boniface Kariuki: Running Battles As Police Disperse Youths Holding Candlelighting for Slain Hawker
- A peaceful candlelight vigil for slain hawker Boniface Kariuki ended in chaos after police stormed the scene with tear gas
- Mourners had lit candles and sang the anthem at the exact spot he was killed, before officers moved in to disperse them
- The vigil, meant to demand justice, was abruptly cut short as tear gas sent youths fleeing from Nairobi’s CBD streets
- Some defied the crackdown, clinging to Kariuki’s banner and chanting slogans through clouds of choking smoke
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
A night of mourning turned chaotic in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) as police disrupted a peaceful candlelight vigil for Boniface Kariuki, the young hawker fatally shot by officers during recent protests.
Source: UGC
The emotional tribute, held at the exact spot where Kariuki was gunned down at close range by a rogue officer, drew dozens of youths who lit candles, sang the national anthem, and carried a large banner bearing Kariuki’s portrait.
Did police disrupt Boniface Kariuki's candlelighting?
The vigil was meant to honour his memory and demand justice for his killing, which occurred during demonstrations sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang' in police custody.
Videos shared online captured the solemn mood that quickly descended into turmoil as police officers moved in and began firing tear gas to disperse the gathering.
The young mourners, many of them visibly shaken but defiant, had gathered in silence moments earlier, only for the vigil to be cut short by the choking smoke of tear gas canisters.
One of the mourners could be heard warning others just after the chaos erupted, expressing fear that the police would not allow the event to continue peacefully.
"I knew this would happen. Didn’t I tell you? You even saw their cars patrolling," said a voice off-camera.
Despite the heavy police presence and dispersal efforts, some mourners held their ground, clutching Kariuki’s banner and braving the gas as they continued to chant anti-government slogans and call for accountability.
Was there high security at Kariuki's memorial?
On Wednesday, July 9, Kariuki was remembered by family and friends in a low-key requiem mass at All Saints Cathedral.
Though his body was absent, grief and tension filled the service as they mourned a young man they described as hardworking.
Source: Getty Images
Inside the church, the grief was unmistakable, but so was the quiet tension that hung in the air, fuelled by fears that disorder could break out within the compound.
"There were heavy security checks because there was fear and anticipation that rogue people would invade the church," one of the security guards said as reported by The Standard daily.
His remarks reflected deep concerns that some mourners might seize Kariuki’s coffin, head toward the City Centre, and cause disruption.
Kariuki is scheduled to be buried this Friday, July 11, at their rural home in Kangema, Murang’a County.
Why did mourners wear masks at Kariuki's memorial?
As earlier reported, Kariuki's family members, especially his mother, were overcome with grief, unable to stand or sing, as mourners wept alongside her.
His mother and sisters quietly sobbed throughout the service.
Comedian Eric Omondi attended the service, distributing masks and sharing the clothing Boniface wore at the time of his death, stirring strong emotions.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
