Masks vendor shot by police during Gen Z protests dies
By Wangari Njuguna, July 1, 2025Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a hawker who was shot in full glare of the cameras during protests that turned chaotic, passed on, dampening the mood of Kenyans who were praying for his survival.
Kariuki, 22, was shot in the head by a policeman at point-blank range, leaving him with fatal brain damage.
He died on June 30, 2025, at 3:15 pm after fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit for five days, at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Two policemen have since been arraigned over Kariuki’s shooting.
On June 17, 2025, Kenyans and the world were shocked when a police officer, in full uniform, hunted down the mask vendor, pointed his weapon at him and shot him in the head at point-blank range.
The shooting sparked an outcry from Kenyans who demanded justice, with the family giving regular updates on the vendor’s worsening condition.
On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Kariuki’s family said that medics had declared their son brain dead.
Well-wishers rushed Kariuki to a city clinic before he was later transferred to KNH.
The vendor was shot outside Imenti House on Moi Avenue, Nairobi, after officers opened fire on protesters demonstrating over the killing of teacher-cum blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody.
Ojwang’s death had sparked outrage, with protesters taking to the streets to march against police brutality.
Underwent surgery
He underwent two surgeries, and the family was clinging to the hope that he would pull through.
His father, Jonah Kariuki, said they visited in the morning and hung around waiting for the evening visiting hours, but they got a call from the hospital.
“We were told the doctor wanted to talk to us, and that’s when he broke the news of his death,” said the father.
“On Sunday, when we were told he was brain dead, our hopes were dimmed and we went home with heavy hearts,” he added. Kariuki is demanding justice for his only son, whom he said was his hope of the family.
“I want justice for my son, and those who killed him should face the law,” he added.
The father said the family is faced with a huge task of raising a hospital bill, which is in millions, adding that they don’t have the capacity to raise the money.
“We are appealing to well-wishers to help us raise the money so that the hospital can release the money to us,” he said.
Family spokesperson Emily Wanjira on Sunday said Kariuki was on a life support machine and they were in a dilemma whether to switch off the machine or wait for nature to take its course.
“We have been told that he is brain dead, but here there is no provision in the law to have the machine switched off when one is in such a condition,” said Wanjira.
Unfairly targeted
She also said the family is hoping justice for their kin will prevail as he was unfairly targeted by the police.
“All we want for Boniface is justice. Justice,” she added.
Kariuki’s death adds to the statistics of victims of police brutality, which are on the rise.
Kariuki helped his parents care for his siblings.
His mother, Susan Njeri, said Kariuki had gone to the streets to fend for his family before the tragic encounter.
At least 16 people were killed during the protests, according to Amnesty International, while more than 400 were injured.
Among the fatalities was a security guard stationed at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza headquarters. Fred Wamale Wanyonyi was shot at the Kolobot Road entrance and was later pronounced dead at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said over 300 police officers were among the injured, with some sustaining life-altering injuries.
Nine police stations were attacked—five of them torched—including Dagoretti, Molo and Ol Kalou. Eighty-eight police vehicles and over 90 government and private vehicles were destroyed.
Five firearms were stolen from Dagoretti Police Post, while four others were burned at Gachui Police Post.
He said the demonstrations were organised with the goal of instilling fear and destabilising the country. Protesters chanting slogans like “Take over power” and “Occupy State House” tried to overrun security barricades.
Businesses, homes, and institutions associated with government allies—including those belonging to MPs Kimani Ichung’wah, Kimani Kuria, Eric Wamumbi, and Mwangi Kiunjuri—were also attacked.