NAIROBI, KENYA, JUNE 30, 2025 – Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the hawker who was shot at close range by police during the June 17 anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi, has succumbed to his injuries.
According to family spokesperson Emily Wanjira, Kariuki died at 3:15 p.m. on Monday, June 30, while still admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). He had been in critical condition for nearly two weeks since the day of the shooting.
“The reality is Boniface Mwangi Kariuki was declared brain dead. His brainstem was no longer functioning. We were simply hoping for a miracle,” Wanjira said.
The 29-year-old hawker had become a symbol of the brutality meted out by police during the youth-led anti-government demonstrations that have gripped Kenya since mid-June.
Shooting Caught on Camera, Officers Detained
The moment Kariuki was shot was captured on video and widely shared across social media, triggering public outrage and demands for accountability. His story added fuel to the already volatile protests led by Kenya’s Gen Z, who have taken to the streets over police violence, government impunity, and economic hardship.
Two police officers suspected to have been involved in the shooting are currently in custody, with investigations being led by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Also read: Gen Z Protest Timeline – Key Events and Casualties
⚖️ Demand for Justice Grows
Kariuki’s death is expected to escalate pressure on the government and security agencies to rein in rogue officers and pursue justice for victims of police brutality. Rights groups have already called for the immediate prosecution of those responsible and for sweeping reforms within the National Police Service.
His family, meanwhile, has called for peace and dignity as they prepare for his burial.
“We want justice for Boniface. He was a hardworking young man, not a criminal,” said Wanjira.
