Busia senator Okiya Omtatah  has levelled a scathing critique at the government following the death of Boniface Kariuki, the 22-year-old mask vendor shot during the June 25 protests.

In a fervent post on X on Monday, June 30, 2025, Omtatah delivered a powerful denunciation of what he termed state-sanctioned brutality.

Omtatah began with palpable emotion: “I am heartbroken. I am outraged. And I am ashamed of what we have become as a nation.” In his statement, he insistently refuted any justification for the shooting, noting that Boniface “wasn’t protesting. He wasn’t armed. He posed no threat. He was simply selling masks.”

He fired a sharp rebuke at the authorities, asserting that “had his killing not been caught on video, the state would have lied, again,” and accused officials of routinely portraying similar violence as justified force. “But this time, the truth exposed their cruelty,” he wrote, urging public recognition of systemic brutality.

Omtatah went on to condemn the incident as more than a single tragedy.

“I condemn, in the strongest terms, the extrajudicial execution of Boniface Kariuki and the growing pattern of police killings, abductions, and systemic cover-ups.” He described these acts as “the rotten fruit of a broken system that continues to betray our Constitution, our laws, and our shared humanity.”

Expressing solidarity with Boniface’s grieving loved ones, Omtatah offered his “sincere condolences” and reaffirmed the broader impact of the loss: “His life mattered. His blood demands justice.” The post ended with a defiant pledge: “We will not forget. We will not forgive.”

Boniface Kariuki’s death following two weeks in hospital has reignited nationwide calls for justice and accountability.

Already serving as a rallying point, his killing has led to widespread demands for independent probes into police conduct during the Gen Z protests.

Human rights groups, legal bodies, and opposition politicians have joined the chorus calling for reform and transparency in law enforcement.

Omtatah’s public denunciation adds weight to mounting pressure on the government to address accountability, systemic failure, and the protection of civilian rights.

His message resonates with many Kenyans seeking urgent action to restore national trust and safeguard fundamental liberties.