Kenyan Celebrities Who Have Joined In To Condemn Shooting Of Mask Vendor During Protests

Kenyan celebrities have joined the widespread public outcry following the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a face mask vendor, during recent protests in Nairobi.

Kariuki was reportedly selling masks to protesters along Moi Avenue when he was shot by police. A viral video capturing the incident has ignited widespread condemnation, with numerous celebrities expressing their grief and anger online.

Abel Mutua, an actor and digital creator known as “Mkurugenzi,” shared the viral video on Instagram, voicing his frustration at the police officers involved. He condemned the shooting as an act of brutality against a lone, unarmed Kenyan.

“The confidence exuded by this cop is a clear sign of the goodwill he has from his superiors to commit such atrocities,” Mutua wrote.

Musician Bensoul, known for his hit “Nairobi,” expressed sorrow while Kariuki was undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. He posted a photo believed to be of the victim and offered prayers for his recovery: “Praying for Boniface Kariuki and his family. He did no wrong. May God keep him safe & may the police man never find peace.”

Comedian Nixon Andare, also known as Nicki Bigfish, reacted strongly. He posted graphic images of Kariuki after the shooting alongside a photo of President William Ruto on a billboard. In his caption, Bigfish decried the violence faced by Kenyan youth, referencing unemployment, insecurity, and state-sponsored brutality.

“We go to the streets you kill us. We choose to stay at home you send your thugs to come pick us up and kill us. You deny us employment opportunities, we look for our small ways to make ends meet by selling face masks — you kill us again. How much blood is enough for you?” he wrote. Bigfish also shared an AI-generated image allegedly depicting the police officer who fired the fatal shot.

Veteran rapper King Kaka posted a video of Kariuki’s fellow vendors mourning moments after the shooting. One woman in the video sobbed uncontrollably, describing Kariuki as a good man who had never broken the law. She wondered aloud how she would face his family if he did not survive. In his caption, King Kaka posed a painful question: “Mama yake atasema ako wapi?” (What will his mother say about his whereabouts?).