An autopsy has revealed the real cause of the death of hawker Boniface Kariuki, who was shot by a police officer at close range in Nairobi during the June 17 protests.
The postmortem examination conducted on Thursday, July 3, 2025, revealed that Kariuki died from a severe head injury.
Pathologist Peter Ndegwa, while confirming the cause of death, said that four bullet fragments were found in his brain.
Kariuki’s family has confirmed that the burial will take place on Friday, July 11, in Kangema.
President William Ruto has reportedly donated Ksh1 million to the family.
President Ruto’s donation
The donation was delivered by Kangema MP Peter Irungu Kihungi, who visited Kariuki’s family on Wednesday to offer condolences following his death on July 1.
MP Kihungi was accompanied by Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, and area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Moses Muchiri.
Also Read: Police Who Shot Hawker Boniface Kariuki During Protests Arrested
Kariuki succumbed after spending two weeks in intensive care at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he had been battling for his life following a gunshot wound to the head
His family had raised concerns over the mounting hospital bill, which they claimed at the time reached over Ksh3.6 million, noting that they had not received support from the hospital or political leaders at the time.
While the Ksh1 million donation covers only a portion of the accrued costs, leaders indicated it was intended to help with funeral arrangements.
“On behalf of President William Samoei Ruto, we conveyed his condolences and his commitment to ensuring justice is served. The President also extended a contribution of Ksh1 million to support the family with funeral arrangements, MP Kihungi stated.
Govt waives medical bill for hawker Boniface Kariuki
Kariuki’s medical bill that had accumulated to Ksh815,805 at the time of his demise at 3.15 pm on Monday, June 30 at KNH was waived by the government alongside all the medical bills for victims injured during the recent Gen Z-led protests.
Also Read: Boniface Kariuki’s Father Conned Ksh200,000 by ‘SHA’ Officials
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale directed the hospital to charge the expenses to the hospital’s Disaster Emergency Fund.
“This includes the outstanding bill of the late Mr. Boniface Kariuki, which stood at Ksh815,805 at the time of his passing,” CS Duale said in a statement.
The move followed sustained public outrage over the state’s response to the youth-led protests on June 17 and June 25, which left at least 19 people dead and over 400 injured. Most casualties were reportedly caused by live bullets fired by police officers.
35-year-old Kariuki was shot at close range along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi while selling face masks to protesters demanding justice for blogger Albert Ojwang, who had died in police custody days earlier.
A viral video showed two police officers confronting the hawker before one shot him in the head.
Despite undergoing emergency surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his head, Kariuki was declared brain dead after 12 days and was later pronounced clinically dead when his heart stopped.
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