Jonah Kariuki, father of the late Boniface Kariuki, has issued a heartfelt appeal for financial assistance following the death of his only son, who was shot during protests in Nairobi on June 25 and later died at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Jonah, overwhelmed by grief, said the tragedy has left his family not only devastated but also financially crippled. “We as the family are calling for help, from getting him out of the hospital to giving him a decent burial,” he said.
“We have no money left. He was my only boy, and he used to hustle to cater to us as his family. He had other siblings waiting for him.”
The medical bill has crossed over Ksh3.3 million.
Boniface, a mask vendor, was reportedly caught in the crossfire during protests over the murder of Albert Ojwang in police custody. The mask vendor was captured on camera being shot at close range by a police officer who was later arrested and interdicted.
His passing
“It was at 3:15 that he passed away,” Jonah said in an interview with a local TV station. “The justice that I would like to see happen, my child, has gone. We were told the officers have been arrested. I would like justice to be served because my child did nothing wrong.”
Boniface was described as the family’s sole breadwinner. Jonah revealed he has not worked since his son’s hospital admission. “He died hustling. We have no preparations. We are waiting for funds so that we can start the preparations.”
Jonah’s emotional plea laid bare the toll of his son’s death. “All that time I raised him, if I didn’t want him, wouldn’t it have been me who ended his life?” he said. “I wanted him because I knew that in the end, he would be the one to support me because I don’t have another son.”
He continued, “We want justice to prevail. I would have opted to take out his life if I wanted, but because I loved him, I would have wanted him to live happily. He was my only son.”
The Kariuki family’s situation has become a symbol of the growing human cost of Kenya’s ongoing political unrest. Boniface’s story, one among many emerging from the June protests, highlights the real-life consequences of state responses to dissent.
As investigations into protest-related fatalities continue, the Kariuki family is appealing for public support to help them lay Boniface to rest and navigate the uncertain future that lies ahead.
