A grieving father seeking help for his critically injured son has become the latest victim of heartless fraudsters.
Johan Kariuki, the father of Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old vendor shot during the June 17 protests in Nairobi CBD, has revealed that scammers posing as officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) swindled him out of Ksh200,500.
Addressing the media at KNH on Saturday, 21 June 2025, Kariuki said the fraud began when a caller contacted him, claiming to be part of a team working to ease hospital bills.
The caller even impersonated popular comedian and activist Eric Omondi and said he was calling alongside the ‘Sisi Kwa Sisi’ chairman. In his desperation to secure medical support for Boniface, Johan was convinced to send Ksh20,500 to the supposed team.
Deadly mistake
However, what was meant to be a small payment to unlock assistance turned into a major financial blow.
“The person who went to deposit the amount mistakenly sent Ksh200,500,” Johan explained.
He said the fraudsters quickly drained the account and vanished without a trace.
Johan has since reported the incident to the police and secured an Occurrence Book (OB) number.
He told journalists that he was planning to visit Safaricom to request an official statement to assist in investigations. “I had planned to go, but I got called back to the hospital,” he said, visibly drained.
Fight for justice
Boniface’s situation remains critical. According to KNH’s Acting CEO, Dr. William Sigilai, the young man sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of his head, resulting in massive brain trauma and heavy bleeding.
He arrived at the emergency department at 3:16 pm on June 17 and has since undergone two surgeries to remove bullet fragments.
Two police officers, Constables Klinzy Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, are in custody at the Capitol Hill Police Station in connection with the shooting.
They will remain detained as the prosecution continues investigations, following a ruling at the Milimani Law Courts.
The Kariuki family is expected to hold a press conference at KNH later today to provide further updates on Boniface’s condition and call for accountability.
