President William Ruto has donated Ksh1 million to the family of Boniface Kariuki, the 22-year-old mask vendor who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the June 17 anti-government protests in Nairobi.
The donation was delivered to the grieving family on Tuesday, July 2, by Kangema Member of Parliament Peter Irungu Kihungi, who led a delegation of local leaders to condole with the family at their home in Murang’a.
“On behalf of President William Samoei Ruto, we conveyed his heartfelt condolences and his commitment to ensuring that justice is served. The President also extended a contribution of Ksh1 million to assist the family with funeral arrangements,” said Kihungi.
The MP was accompanied by Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, and the area MCA Moses Muchiri. A representative from the Ministry of Interior, standing in for Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, was also present during the visit.
The leaders assured the family of their continued support, although they did not disclose any additional financial assistance.
In response to the family’s complaints about their inability to file a police statement regarding the incident, the Ministry of Interior promised immediate action to facilitate the process.
“Boniface’s death is a painful reminder of the urgent need for accountability in our security forces,” Kihungi told reporters. “We will not rest until justice is done.”
Kariuki died on July 1 at Kenyatta National Hospital after spending two weeks in intensive care. He was shot in the head while selling face masks to demonstrators protesting the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who had died in police custody earlier that week.
Although doctors successfully removed the bullet from his skull during emergency surgery, Kariuki never regained consciousness and was declared brain-dead nearly two weeks later. His heart stopped the following day.
His mother, Susan Njeri, had earlier decried the lack of support from leaders, revealing that the hospital bill had ballooned to over Ksh3.6 million by the time of his death. The President’s Ksh1 million donation, while appreciated, will only partially ease the financial burden on the family.
The Ministry of Interior representative said the government would follow up to ensure any official investigation is conducted thoroughly and impartially.
Boniface Kariuki will be laid to rest on July 11 in Murang’a.
