Father of Hawker Shot by Police in Nairobi CBD Expresses Frustration Over Son's Situation

The father of Boniface Kariuki, the young man who was shot by an anti-riot police officer at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) yesterday, has expressed frustration over his son's situation.

Kariuki's father, while addressing journalists on Wednesday morning, revealed that he received reports of his son's condition yesterday evening through social media platforms.

According to him, at around 8 pm, he received a phone call from Kariuki's close associate, who confirmed that indeed his son had been shot by police officers in the city centre.

I received a phone call from his friends who told me that my son had been shot. At first, when I saw his image on social media, I could not promptly confirm if it was him; however, I later identified him," Kairuki's father narrated.

He went on to add, "When I saw the photo of him injured, I was so shocked and broken, I could not believe what I had seen. From the video that I watched using my phone, I saw the police shooting him."

Kairuki's father disclosed that his 22-year-old son was the firstborn in a family of four children and was shot by the police while undertaking his routine business of selling masks within Nairobi CBD.

Moments after receiving reports of his child's situation, Kairuki's father abandoned his journey back home and instead rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where his son had been taken for treatment.

In his speech, Boniface's father dismissed allegations that his son had passed away and clarified that Kariuki was alive and had successfully undergone a surgical procedure last night.

"I visited my son in the ICU; he was in a dire condition and placed on oxygen. His heart was still beating. But when I saw him at the hospital, I became hopeful," said Kairuki's father.

"My son is a vendor within this city. He usually sells masks and sometimes beauty products such as earrings. When I arrived here at the hospital, the doctors assured me that they would help my son," he added.

Boniface Kariuki was shot by an anti-riot police officer on Tuesday afternoon at Moi Avenue during heated demonstrations against Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

A footage shared widely on social media platforms depicted two police officers beating up Kariuki before one of the officers cocked his gun and aimed at the 22-year-old, shooting him in the neck.

While the identity of the officer who shot Kairuki is yet to be revealed, the National Police Service, through its Spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga, on Tuesday night, stated that the rogue officer had been arrested.