On Tuesday, chaos erupted in Nairobi during anti-police brutality protests when Boniface Kariuki, a city hawker selling face masks, was shot in the head.
Two police officers, Constables Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, face accusations in the incident but have denied any involvement.
Their lawyer, Felix Keaton, insists no live ammunition was used, claiming officers were equipped only with shotguns and rubber bullets. He dismissed the allegations as speculative.
The protests, initially peaceful, turned violent after armed groups disrupted the march, targeting civilians and businesses.
The National Police Service (NPS) has interdicted the officers, who are now under investigation by the Homicide Unit at DCI headquarters.
In a statement, NPS expressed regret, reaffirmed its commitment to justice, and noted Kariuki’s recovery at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) following emergency surgery.
KNH CEO Dr. William Sigilai confirmed Kariuki’s critical but stable condition. Referred from a city clinic with a gunshot wound to the left side of his head, Kariuki arrived bleeding and critically ill.
An emergency team, led by Dr. Janet Sugut, stabilized him and placed him on life support.
A CT scan revealed a bullet lodged in his head, which neurosurgeon Dr. Sam Njiru’s team removed during a two-hour operation at 8:50 p.m. Kariuki remains in the ICU under specialized care.
Meanwhile, Philip Oketch, a Kenyatta University student shot during a separate peaceful protest in Nairobi’s Central Business District, spoke powerfully from his hospital bed.
Despite visible injuries, Oketch addressed the nation and President William Ruto, urging accountability. “This country belongs to our forefathers, the future generation, and us—the citizens of Kenya,” he said.
Criticizing the Kenya Kwanza administration and police for targeting unarmed citizens, Oketch’s emotional speech resonated widely on social media, amplifying calls for justice.
Oketch’s message condemned police brutality and demanded that the government control officers who “swore to protect” but have become “a burning problem” for innocent Kenyans.
His words, a plea for change, underscored the growing frustration among citizens over recent violence. Social media platforms have buzzed with outrage, as Kenyans rally behind Kariuki and Oketch, refusing to be silenced by intimidation.
The incidents highlight ongoing tensions between police and civilians in Kenya, with public outcry intensifying over alleged excessive force.
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