Kenyan socialite Vera Sidika has expressed sorrow and frustration after police shot an unarmed hawker during the Justice for Ojwang protests in Nairobi’s city centre on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
Taking to her Instagram on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Sidika described the shooting as shocking and painful, noting that Kariuki was innocently selling masks when he was attacked.
She questioned why an unarmed vendor would be targeted while violent individuals were left untouched, calling the incident deeply disturbing and unjust.
“He was innocently selling masks 😢 but still got shot, unprovoked. While the armed goons walked around freely & untouched 😳 I’m in shock to be honest. It’s too much. Heard he’s in critical condition. I pray he recovers/stays alive,” Vera Sidika stated.
The protests were organised to demand justice following the controversial death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody. However, what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration quickly turned into a scene of chaos and violence when a hawker, later identified as Boniface Kariuki, was gunned down by a police officer in broad daylight along Moi Avenue.
Eyewitnesses and video footage confirm that Kariuki, who sells face masks in the CBD, was approached by two police officers. Despite showing no signs of aggression, the officers began assaulting him, kicking and punching him as he tried to back away. Moments later, one of the officers drew a gun and shot him at close range before fleeing the scene on foot.
Kariuki
The shooting sparked public outrage, both online and in the streets, with many Kenyans calling for accountability and justice. The identity and current condition of the hawker were initially unclear, but on Wednesday, June 18, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) confirmed that the victim was a 22-year-old Boniface Kariuki.
KNH Chief Executive Officer William Sigilai told journalists that Kariuki had been referred to the hospital from a private clinic in 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,” Sigilai said.
Despite the seriousness of his injuries, doctors say Kariuki is alive and receiving the highest level of care.
Sigilai also revealed that the hospital received a total of 16 casualties from the Tuesday protests, with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to blunt force trauma. Out of the 16, seven were admitted, and nine were treated and discharged. Two patients had already undergone surgery, while four more were waiting to be operated on.
One of the admitted patients is currently unidentified but is reported to have sustained a skull fracture after a heavy blow to the head.
While speaking to the press outside Kenyatta National Hospital on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in the presence of Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, the father of the injured hawker confirmed that the young man is indeed his 22-year-old son, Boniface Kariuki Mwangi. He shared his sorrow over the incident but noted that his son’s condition had shown some improvement after visiting him in the hospital.
He revealed that he and his son both work as hawkers and live in Makadara. According to him, Boniface usually sells face masks in the Central Business District and has been hustling to earn a living, just like his father, despite the many struggles they have faced over the years.
“Mimi naitwa Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, na kijana aliyepigwa risasi ni wangu, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki. Anafanya kazi ya hawking, anauza mask, na pia mimi ni hawker. Nimemlea kwa shida sana, niko na huzuni kulingana na mahali ambapo ako, lakini si mbaya sana; natunaomba bado atakuwa poa, ako miaka 22, anatokanga Makadara lakini anauzianga commercial, anahawk uko,” Kariuki stated.
