The cause of death of Boniface Kariuki Mwangi, a Nairobi-based street vendor known for selling face masks, has been confirmed as severe head trauma from a close-range gunshot, according to an autopsy conducted on Thursday, July 4, 2025.
The postmortem, conducted by a joint team led by government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia and family pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa, revealed that four bullet fragments remained lodged in Mwangi’s brain, while two others were surgically removed before his death.
“The brain is quite disturbed, and the chances of survival were very, very minimal,” said Dr. Ndegwa during a press briefing after the examination.
He further described the fragments as “rubbery and blackish”, confirming that the trauma caused extensive brain damage.
“The operation to remove the bullet particles was done, but some remained. The brain is quite destroyed,” he added.
Family spokesperson Emily Wanjira expressed shock at the postmortem findings, especially after learning that additional fragments had gone undetected during prior treatment.
“We are actually shocked that there were more bullet fragments,” Wanjira said, reiterating the family’s call for justice and accountability.
Although the autopsy established the cause of death, it could not conclusively determine the exact time of death, raising concerns about how long Mwangi remained brain-dead before his passing was officially communicated.
“His brain could have died in the course of the treatment,” Dr. Ndegwa observed.
Two police officers linked to the fatal shooting were arraigned in court on Thursday, but plea taking was postponed until next Thursday. Prosecutors cited new developments and requested more time to file formal murder charges.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has been investigating the case, attended the autopsy and is expected to forward its report to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to bolster the case against the officers.
Mwangi’s death has amplified public outrage over a string of recent police killings amid anti-government protests. He was reportedly shot while vending face masks in Nairobi’s CBD, a tragic example of lethal force against civilians.
Read more on police brutality cases in Kenya and citizen-led demands for justice on sauce.co.ke.
Mwangi’s funeral has been scheduled for Friday, July 11, as the family continues to push for transparent investigations and the prosecution of those responsible.
