Boniface Kariuki’s area MP says family is yet to record police statement
By Steve Ireri, June 30, 2025Kangema Member of Parliament Peter Kihungi, who represents the constituency where the late Boniface Kariuki hailed from, has raised alarm over what he describes as deliberate obstruction by police, revealing that the deceased’s family has made several attempts to record an official statement but have been turned away each time.
“I have walked with the family, and I am not even sure whether they have been able to give a statement. They have gone to police stations around three times, but they have not been allowed to record anything,” he said.
The lawmaker made the remarks while addressing journalists outside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Monday, June 30, 2025, where he had accompanied the grieving family of the young mask vendor.
He expressed deep concern over what he termed as injustice and institutional failure in the handling of Boniface’s case.
“My name is Peter Kihungi, the area MP. We have walked with the family throughout this painful journey,” he said.
“The first time I saw the news, I did not even know he was from my constituency, but my heart sank. What happened to Boniface must never be buried in silence.”
Kihungi described Boniface as an innocent vendor who was simply trying to earn a living on the day of the protests, selling face masks, when he was shot in the head at close range by police officers.
“This man was just selling masks,” he said. “On that day, there were goons—I do not know who had funded them—but Boniface was not one of them. He was running for safety, and the safest people at the time should have been the police. Instead, they were the ones who shot him.”
He criticised attempts by government officials or police sympathisers to justify the fatal shooting, dismissing such explanations as both offensive and juvenile.
“Anybody trying to bring insults or childish justifications is being dishonest. We want justice,” he declared.
Kihungi warned that neither the Cabinet Secretaries nor any government institution should attempt to explain away the killing or suggest provocation.
“The CS and everybody should not try to convince anyone that they were provoked. There must be consequences,” he said.