Shot But Not Silenced: Father of Nairobi Hawker Speaks Out After Son’s Shooting by Police

In a heart-wrenching testimony that has stirred public outrage and renewed calls for police accountability, the father of Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old street vendor shot by an anti-riot police officer in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), has broken his silence. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday morning, the distraught father recounted the harrowing moment he discovered his son had been gunned down in broad daylight. 

“I first saw the image on social media and couldn’t believe it was my son,” he said. “When his friends called to confirm what had happened, I was crushed.” 

Boniface, the firstborn in a family of four, was going about his daily business selling face masks and beauty accessories along Moi Avenue when violence erupted amid demonstrations targeting Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat. According to widely shared footage, two officers were seen assaulting him before one drew his firearm and shot Boniface in the neck at close range. 

The shocking incident has since sparked public anger and led to the arrest of the officer involved, though his identity remains undisclosed. The National Police Service confirmed the arrest late Tuesday, vowing to pursue justice. 

Meanwhile, Boniface’s father recalled the chaos that followed the shooting. “I was traveling back home when I got the call. I dropped everything and rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital,” he said. 

There, he found his son in the Intensive Care Unit, clinging to life. “He had undergone surgery. He was unconscious but still breathing. When I saw him, I felt hope again,” he told the press, fighting back tears. 

Contrary to rumors circulating online, Boniface is alive, though in critical condition. His father emphasized that despite the horror of the shooting, he remains optimistic. “The doctors said they would do their best. I believe my son will fight through.” 

This case adds to a growing list of police brutality incidents in Kenya, particularly during protests and public unrest. Civil society groups have condemned the act as “a clear abuse of power,” demanding swift justice and institutional reforms. 

As the nation waits for the outcome of the investigation, Boniface’s family, especially his father, has become a symbol of resilience amid grief, a father standing strong not only for his son but for every Kenyan calling for a safer, more just society.