The government has announced a full waiver of medical bills for all victims injured during the recent Gen Z-led protests, including the late Boniface Kariuki, a 35-year-old mask vendor who succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale issued a directive to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), instructing the facility to charge all related expenses to the hospital’s Disaster Emergency Fund.
“This includes the outstanding bill of the late Mr. Boniface Kariuki, which stood at KSh 815,805 at the time of his passing,” CS Duale confirmed in an official statement.
The decision comes amid growing public outrage over the state’s handling of the protests held on June 17 and June 25, during which at least 19 people were killed and over 400 others injured, with most casualties reportedly caused by live bullets fired by police.
Kariuki’s case became a national flashpoint after a viral video captured the moment he was confronted and shot by police officers along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi during a demonstration seeking justice for Albert Ojwang, another victim who died while in police custody.
