Boniface Kariuki's father: 'Bullet went through my son's head, just above the ear'
Face mask vendor Boniface Kariuki is rushed to hospital by protesters after he was shot by a police officer in Nairobi on June 17, 2025.
The family of the mask vendor, who was reportedly shot dead on Tuesday, has clarified that he is still alive, contradicting earlier reports of his death.
His father, Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, said that the bullet had gone through his head just above the ear.
Initial reports had claimed that he had died, with a different name — Eli Joshua — even circulating on social media.
However, the actual victim, Boniface, was selling masks near Imenti House when he became caught up in the chaos.
Amateur video footage shows two police officers assaulting him before one of them shot him.
“The 22-year-old is a vendor in Nairobi,” his father explained. He and his son both make a living selling goods in the city. The father operates around the railway area, while the son trades near Imenti House, where the incident occurred.
“We hail from Murang’a,” said the father.
“We don’t talk frequently unless there is something to talk about,” he noted, adding that they are usually very close.
He said that he had learned about the shooting through social media and had later confirmed it with friends and fellow vendors who worked closely with his son.
He then rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he spent hours trying to gain access to see his son until earlier today.
KNH: He's on round-the-clock observation
Kenyatta National Hospital CEO William Sigilai confirmed his admission, saying: "A patient was referred to the facility on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after sustaining a gunshot wound during protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District."
He said the trader, who was brought in as a referral at 3:16pm, had severe brain injury and excessive bleeding. He was among 16 patients Kenyatta Hospital received as a result of the protests.
"The emergency care team led by the emergency physician, Dr Janet Sugut, swung into action, stabilised his condition, and placed him on life support," Dr Sigilai said.
"A CT scan of the brain confirmed the bullet struck the left side of the head. The patient was then wheeled into the operating theatre at around 8:50pm where a complex and delicate surgery was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team under the leadership of Dr Sam Njiru, Consultant Neurosurgeon," he added.
The procedure lasted two hours and bullet was successfully removed.
"While his condition is still critical, he is alive and under close round-the-clock observation and care by our medical team."
He is in intensive care where he remains on mechanical ventilation.
Also injured was Kenyatta University (KU) student Philip Oketch. He survived two gunshots: one on the arm and another on the neck.
"I'm grateful to be alive," Mr Oketch said.
The KU Students Association Secretary-General Zadock Moth Nyakwaka warned that "the government had touched a wrong nerve" by shooting a university student.
"If this continues, we will mobilise university students to go to the streets," Mr Nyakwaka said.