Boniface Kariuki’s mother recalls last phone call before he was shot in protest

Susan Njeri, the mother of 22-year-old hawker Boniface Kariuki, has revealed she had asked him to stay away from protests.

In a tribute read during his burial at Iyego in Kangema, Murang’a County, Njeri said she called him on the morning of June 25 to ask for some money and warned him to avoid the protests.

She said Boniface asked to speak to his siblings during the call — a gesture she now believes was his final goodbye.

“Little did we know you were saying goodbye to us,” she said.

Johna Kariuki, Boniface’s father, said he knew his son was destined for leadership the day he was born on August 28, 2002.

“I had such high hopes for you. I have a lot of pain in my heart, but I have to release you to rest, however difficult it is,” he said.

He added that Boniface supported his younger siblings and that they had made development plans together.

“I’m trusting God to help bring to fruition the plans you and I made,” he said.

Bishop Ben Kiengei of Jesus Christ Compassionate Ministry (JCM) Church, who led the service, pledged to raise funds to help the family build a better home.

Kiengei said Boniface had planned to build a house for his siblings with his father — the reason he was working, even during protests.

“This is an entire destiny that has come to an end,” he said, urging hawkers in attendance not to lose hope.

He also urged the President to listen to the youth and foster unity while ensuring that criminals who infiltrate protests are dealt with legally.

Kiengei called for peaceful solutions and more youth empowerment to drive the country’s development.

Hawker Bonface Mwangi Kariuki was shot at close range during the June 17 demonstration in Nairobi.

Family spokesperson Emily Wanjira said he passed on Monday at 3.15 pm.

He had been in the ICU at Kenyatta National Hospital since June 17, when he was shot in the city centre.