My son is alive, father of vendor shot by police confirms

The family of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the mask vendor who was shot during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District, has confirmed that he is alive.

His father, Jonah Nyambura Kariuki, who is also a hawker, spoke to the media amid reports that the 22-year-old had died. He said his son had undergone surgery and that his condition remains delicate.

He rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital after seeing a chilling viral clip of the incident on social media. Boniface is currently recuperating in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at KNH.

Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, confirmed on Tuesday evening that Boniface was in theatre with the neurosurgical team.

“As a precaution, we have prepared an ICU bed because a case of such nature requires ICU support immediately in the post-surgery period”. He said.

The police officer who shot the victim in the head at close range has been arrested and is expected to be arraigned in court.

In a statement, the National Police Service confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police directed the officer’s immediate arrest following the incident, in which the officer discharged an anti-riot shotgun, seriously injuring the unarmed civilian.