The family of Bonface Mwangi Kariuki—the young hawker shot in the head during the June 17 protests in Nairobi—is now raising serious questions about the official announcement of his death. They believe he may have died the same day he was shot and allege foul play in the handling of his medical records and timeline.
Highlights:
- Bonface Kariuki was shot at close range by police during the June 17 protests
- Family believes he may have died the same day but was declared brain-dead 12 days later
- Two police officers have been arrested in connection to the shooting
- The family suspects manipulation of hospital reports or official statements
Main Story:
Bonface Mwangi Kariuki, a 22-year-old mask vendor and Nairobi hawker, was shot at close range by anti-riot police on Moi Avenue during the #JusticeForOjwang protests on June 17. The bullet reportedly struck his head, leaving him unconscious and in critical condition. He was rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital where he remained in the ICU.
Twelve days later, on June 29, doctors reportedly declared Bonface brain dead. By the next day, he was officially pronounced dead. But now, his family is disputing the timeline. They suspect that Bonface may have actually died on the same day he was shot, and that the delayed announcement was a way to cover up the brutality of the incident or shift responsibility.
Speaking to the media, family members expressed doubts about the circumstances under which Bonface’s condition was handled. “We believe he died on June 17. Everything after that feels like a delay tactic,” one family member said. They are demanding access to hospital documentation, medical records, and surveillance footage to verify the true timeline.
Two police officers linked to the shooting have since been arrested, facing charges over the violent crackdown. Still, the family believes justice goes beyond prosecution—they want full transparency about what happened from the moment Bonface was shot to when he was officially declared dead.
Bonface’s story is now emblematic of a wider issue plaguing the country—police brutality and a lack of accountability. His name has joined a growing list of young Kenyans killed or injured during protests demanding justice and reform.
As the family demands clarity and the nation mourns, one truth is clear: silence and delay cannot erase the pain of a life lost too soon in the fight for justice.
