Boniface Kariuki, the mask vendor shot by police during Tuesday, June 18, 2025, protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District, remains in critical condition, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has confirmed.
KNH Chief Executive Officer, William Sigilai, said the hospital received a total of 16 casualties from the demonstrations, with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to blunt force trauma.
“We received 16 casualties from the demonstrations. Injuries ranged from gunshot wounds to blunt trauma,” Sigilai told journalists during a press briefing on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
“Seven patients were admitted and nine were treated and discharged. As of this morning, two had undergone surgery and four more were waiting to go to the theatre.”
Among the admitted is an unidentified patient who sustained a skull fracture following a severe blow to the head.
Addressing the condition of Boniface Kariuki, Sigilai revealed that the vendor had been referred to KNH from a private clinic within the CBD after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head.
“Upon arrival at the Accident and Emergency Centre, he was noted to be critically ill with a wound on the left side of his head, resulting in bleeding and evidence of severe injury,” he said.
He added that the hospital’s emergency team, led by Janet Sugut, stabilised the patient and placed him on life support. A CT scan later confirmed that a bullet had struck the left side of his skull.
“The patient was then prepared for emergency surgery. At around 8:50 pm, a multidisciplinary team led by neurosurgeon Sam Njiru conducted a complex operation that lasted about two hours,” Sigilai said.
“During the procedure, an object believed to be a bullet was removed. The patient was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where he is being cared for.”
Despite the severity of his injuries, Kariuki is alive and under round-the-clock monitoring by a dedicated team of specialists and under constant monitoring by a dedicated medical team.
Kariuki was shot while selling masks during anti-police brutality protests in the city centre.
UK Embassy condemns police
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Embassy in Nairobi has condemned acts of violence meted out on protestors by the police.
Demonstrators who were protesting against the murder of Albert Ojwang were faced with a forceful reaction from the police, and the UK has now registered their displeasure over how the law enforcers reacted.
The embassy has also demanded an open and fair investigation into the actions of the police officers.
“Police forces must command the trust & confidence of those they are duty-bound to serve & protect. We are deeply disturbed by the violence against unarmed civilians & protestors yesterday. We urge a swift, independent, and transparent investigation into the actions of the police.
“We send our best wishes for the swift recovery of those injured during yesterday’s violence,” the UK Embassy said in a statement on X on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
