Kenyan rapper and activist Henry Ohanga, popularly known as Octopizzo, has raised concerns over the condition of Boniface Kariuki, a young man who was shot in the head during protests against police brutality last week.
The protests, held in Nairobi’s city centre, were part of the growing “Justice for Albert Ojwang” movement, which has seen Kenyans demand accountability for recent police killings.
During these demonstrations, 22-year-old Kariuki, a vendor who was selling face masks at the time, was shot by police and rushed to a private clinic before being referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
In a strongly worded message shared on his official X account on the evening of Wednesday, June 26, Octopizzo questioned the lack of updates and official communication regarding Kariuki’s status.
He said that it is no longer acceptable to remain silent. According to him, justice must be pursued not only for Kariuki and his family but for every young Kenyan who risks speaking truth to power.
“What is the status of Boniface Kariuki? We cannot stay silent. We must demand answers now. Justice must be served, not just for his family, but for every young Kenyan who dares to speak truth to power,” Octopizzo stated.
Critical condition
More than a week has passed since KNH confirmed receiving Kariuki in critical condition. According to hospital CEO William Sigilai, Kariuki was among 16 casualties from the protests who were taken to KNH. Some of the victims had sustained gunshot wounds while others suffered blunt force injuries.
Sigilai noted that out of the 16, seven patients were admitted and nine were treated and discharged. As of June 18, 2025, two of the admitted victims had undergone surgery, and four others were awaiting theatre.
Kariuki was among those admitted after suffering a gunshot wound to the left side of his head. Sigilai said he had been referred from a private facility and was found to be in critical condition upon arrival at the KNH Accident and Emergency Centre. He was bleeding and had clear signs of a serious head injury.
Emergency doctors at KNH, led by Dr. Janet Sugut, stabilised him and placed him on life support. A CT scan confirmed that a bullet had struck the left side of his skull. He was immediately prepared for surgery.
At around 8:50 pm, a team of specialists, including neurosurgeon Dr. Sam Njiru, carried out an emergency operation that lasted close to two hours. During the surgery, they removed what is believed to have been a bullet from his skull. After the operation, Kariuki was moved to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he continues to receive 24-hour care under close observation.
Despite the critical nature of his injury, hospital sources confirmed that Kariuki was alive and under the care of a specialised medical team.
Defrauded
As the family struggles with the emotional trauma of the incident, they have also been hit by financial hardship and fraud. Kariuki’s father, Jonah Kariuki, shared a troubling incident involving con artists who posed as officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA).
During a press conference held at KNH on June 21, 2025, he revealed that fraudsters reached out claiming they could help clear his son’s hospital bill and register the family under SHA. In the process, they scammed him out of Ksh200,000. He explained that he had been asked to send Ksh20,500, but the person he sent to do the transaction mistakenly transferred Ksh200,500.
“It was someone who told me he’s from SHA. He asked that I send him Ksh20,500 to help me reduce the hospital bill, but the person I tasked to do the transaction mistakenly sent Ksh200,500,” he said.
He said he had planned to visit Safaricom to request a statement and possibly retrieve the funds, but hospital responsibilities kept him from completing the process. However, he confirmed that he had already taken an OB (Occurrence Book) report and would return to follow up.
“I had gone to Safaricom, but I did not get in because I was required to be here (at KNH), but I have taken an OB, so I will return to have them give me the statement,” he said.
