Former Police Spokesperson Charles Owino has revealed what might have led Boniface Mwangi Kariuki to be shot on June 17, 2025.
While speaking in a media interview on Monday, June 30, 2025, Owino said that the mask vendor was hurling insults at the officer, which resulted in him being shot.
“If you listen closely to the clip of Boniface, the man who was selling masks when he was shot, you’ll hear him abusing the policeman,” Owino said.
Charles Owino Says Mask Vendor Was Shot Because He Abused the Officer
However, Charles Owino said that Boniface Kariuki insulting the police officer should not have warranted him to be shot, stating that he should have restrained himself.
“You are an officer. You must have restraint and should have shot him with a rubber bullet. You can see what it has caused to the image of the police,” the former police spokesperson said.
According to Charles Owino, the police might only use their firearms in certain circumstances; however, they should restrain themselves.
Owino’s sentiments have ignited widespread public condemnation, with the majority of Kenyans terming it unfortunate.
Also Read: “Shot 8 Times”- New Details on Police Officer Who Shot Mask Vendor Emerge
A user by the name Dahir Sadiq said,” To suggest that Boniface provoked the situation without evidence and without having been present is both reckless and dangerous. A young Kenyan died from a bullet. How do you think the family feels when they hear such nonsense aired on national television? We must reject this kind of rhetoric.”
Another user by the name Claire added, “So in that case, verbally abusing a police officer warranted a fatal bullet?”
A social media user by the name Douglas Orangi, said, “Very unfortunate remarks.”
Mask Hawker Declared Brain Dead
Currently, mask vendor Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, who was shot by a police officer on June 17, 2025, during protests demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat in Nairobi CBD, has been declared brain dead.
According to family members who issued a statement on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Kenyatta National Hospital, doctors informed them that their son was declared brain dead.
Also Read: Boniface Mwangi Declared Brain Dead
The mask vendor’s father, Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, told the media that the doctors called him at midnight on Saturday and informed him that his son’s brain was no longer functioning, although his heart was still beating.
“We were told by the doctors that his brain has stopped functioning. We have not been told that he is dead, but his heart is still beating,” said Boniface Mwangi’s father.
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