Boniface Mwangi, Protest Shooting Victim, Dies After Weeks On Life Support

Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the mask vendor who was shot in the head during the June 17 protests, has died. Kariuki passed away at 3:15 PM on Monday, June 30, at Kenyatta National Hospital, nearly two weeks after the shooting incident that sparked national outrage. He had been in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since the shooting.

His family, speaking to the press while announcing his death, revealed that the hospital bill had escalated to over KSh 3.5 million, and no government institution had offered assistance. They are now appealing to Kenyans for financial help.

“All I can say is that we have a tough task ahead, as getting him out of there [the mortuary] is hard because we do not have money. We are seeking help from Kenyans,” stated Jonah Kariuki, Boniface’s father, who also emphasized his demand for justice. “I want justice for my son because my son did not do anything wrong. I knew that in the future, he was my only hope. He was my only son, as the rest are daughters.”

This tragic development comes just a day after the family confirmed that Boniface had been declared brain dead on Sunday, June 29, around midnight. At that time, a family spokesperson had stated that with his brainstem no longer functioning, they were simply awaiting doctors to declare him clinically dead. Legal frameworks in Kenya prevented the family from switching off life support until his heart ceased beating.

The Shooting and Aftermath

During the June 17 protests, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, an unarmed mask vendor, was captured on camera being assaulted by two police officers. One officer then shot him at point-blank range in the head. He was left bleeding on the ground before fellow protesters rushed him to the hospital. An emergency surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital hours later successfully retrieved a bullet from his skull.

The shooting ignited a significant public outcry from human rights defenders and the public, not only due to his unarmed status but also because the protest itself was a call against police brutality.

Police Response and Investigations

Hours before Kariuki succumbed to his injuries, former police spokesperson Charles Owino offered a controversial perspective during a Monday morning interview. He claimed that Kariuki had insulted the police officers. “It was a very simple exchange. If you listen to that clip closely, you will hear the boy abusing the policeman. But as an officer, you must have restraint—and shoot him with a rubber bullet, not a live one. You can see what this has done to the image of the police so far,” Owino stated.

Regarding Klinzy Baraza Masinde, the police officer who allegedly pulled the trigger, Owino suggested he was a young recruit with less than two years of service who took the insults personally, leading to a “rash reaction.”

The two police officers involved in the shooting were arrested shortly after the incident. On June 19, they were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, where the judge granted a request from both the prosecution and the defense to hold them for 15 days, allowing for further investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

Government waives 816K bill of innocent hawker killed by police officer

In a major relief effort aimed at easing the burden on families affected by recent political unrest, the Kenyan government—through the Ministry of Health—has announced a full waiver of medical bills for all patients injured during the Nairobi protests held on June 17 and 25, 2025.

The directive, issued under the leadership of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, includes the outstanding bill for the late Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a young mask vendor whose shooting during the demonstrations drew national outrage and amplified demands for police accountability.

“The recent demonstrations…resulted in injuries and emotional distress for many Kenyans. As a Ministry, our hearts go out to all those affected. We remain committed to ensuring they receive the care and support they need,” read an official statement from CS Duale.

Relief for Affected Families

As per the directive, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has been instructed to waive all hospital bills for protest-related injuries, with the expenses now charged to the hospital’s Disaster Emergency Fund.

This includes the medical bill of KSh 815,805 accrued by Boniface Kariuki, who was placed on life support after being shot in the head during the June 17 demonstrations. He was declared brain dead on June 30.

Kariuki’s case had become a heartbreaking symbol of the cost of civil unrest, with his family previously lamenting the soaring hospital fees and lack of government support, even as their son’s condition sparked widespread public sympathy.

Human Rights Crisis

The government’s action comes amid growing scrutiny over the handling of recent protests. Originally peaceful, the demonstrations on June 17 and the June 25 Gen Z-led anniversary protests turned violent, marred by police crackdowns, the use of tear gas, and alleged live rounds.

According to ongoing investigations by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), these confrontations resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities. Boniface’s shooting, reportedly while conducting his usual business selling face masks, shocked the nation and intensified calls for justice.

Rare Move Toward Accountability

In a rare but significant development, the police officers linked to Kariuki’s shooting have since been arrested and arraigned. This step toward accountability has been welcomed by rights groups and citizens, many of whom hope that Kariuki’s case will mark a turning point in the fight against impunity during state operations.

While the medical bill waiver brings financial relief, many Kenyans see it as a tacit acknowledgment of state responsibility in the chaos that unfolded.

“It’s a welcome gesture,” said a family member of Kariuki, “but it cannot replace what we lost. What we need is justice.”

A Nation in Reflection

As Kenya continues to reel from the aftermath of the protests, the waiver serves as a small but meaningful step by the state in addressing the suffering of affected families. However, for many—including Kariuki’s family—the ultimate resolution lies not in financial assistance, but in truth, justice, and meaningful police reforms.