- Boniface Kariuki’s mother dismissed claims that her son was a member of Muthee Kiengei’s JCM church, citing reasons
- His remarks come a few months after Kiengei presided over Kariuki’s funeral and a re-investigation following President William Ruto’s visit to the church.
- The grieving mother also expressed her sadness and disappointment at the funeral, claiming that all the promises made to the family have not been fulfilled.
A new commotion has erupted months after the death and burial of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor who was shot during protest in the CBD area last year.
Source: Facebook
Kariuki was selling masks to protesters in June 2025 when two armed police officers confronted him.
What happened to Boniface Kariuki?
Videos that circulated online showed the unarmed vendor being attacked before an officer shot him in the head and left him for dead.
The protesters rushed him to the hospital and covered him with the Kenyan flag. Although he initially survived, he later passed away while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
His death sparked outrage across the country, with many Kenyans calling for justice and accountability.
Source: Facebook
Was Boniface Kariuki a member of the JCM church?
Following Kariuki’s death, Muthee Kiengei, the senior bishop at Jesus Christ Compassion Ministries (JCM), said he learned that the slain vendor was a member of his church.
Based on the allegations, Kiengei led Kariuki’s funeral at his home in Kangema village, Murang’a County.
However, the issue has resurfaced after the President William Ruto visiting Kiengei church in Ruiru recently.
The visit sparked debate online, with some Kenyans comparing the preacher’s harsh remarks about the government during Kariuki’s funeral to his decision to welcome Ruto months later.
As the Ruiru church service continued, a section of TikTok netizens traveled to Kariuki’s grave in Kangema and shared a photo with his mother, standing beside her untended grave.
During the interview, Kariuki’s mother denied claims that her son was a member of JCM.
He claimed that he did not have a membership card or attend the church, adding that he himself had never worshiped there.
He claimed that it was his cousin who made the arrangements suggesting that Kariuki is a follower of the Kiengei church, stressing that the allegations are completely false.
In his words:
“There is nothing like that. Boni never had a membership card, and he has never even gone to church. It was his cousin who made the arrangements and claimed that he belonged to the Kiengei church, but it was not true.”
The grieving mother further claimed that her local pastor advised her to allow JCM to conduct the funeral if it had already been decided, alleging that the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) does not conduct funerals in the same way.
He claimed his ACK pastor did not attend the funeral because, in his opinion, the basis on which it was prepared was false.
He also expressed his disappointment, alleging that despite being promised to return and help the family after the funeral, Kiengei did not do so.
Regarding the issue of Kiengei hosting President Ruto, he said he was not happy with the development and did not see it as appropriate.
How much did President Ruto give to Boniface Kariuki’s family?
Before Boniface Kariuki’s funeral, President Ruto sent his condolences to the bereaved family.
Apart from his words of sympathy, he donated KSh 1 million to help the family, which reportedly faced a total cost of KSh 3.6 million.
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