As 26-year-old Boniface Kariuki clings to life at Kenyatta National Hospital following a gunshot wound to the head during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi, his family now faces a double tragedy the emotional toll of his critical condition and the financial blow of being conned out of KSh200,000 by fraudsters posing as well-wishers.
Boniface’s father, John Kariuki, shared the painful ordeal with reporters, recounting how scammers tricked him into parting with an initial KSh20,000 under the pretense of helping cover hospital expenses. But what began as a promise of assistance quickly spiraled into a devastating scam: the fraudsters used the details John provided to access his bank account and wipe out KSh200,500.
“I was told to send KSh20,000 to help process support for my son’s hospital bill. Instead, the person used my information to steal over KSh200,000,” said John. “I have already reported the matter to the police and investigations have begun.”
Meanwhile, Boniface remains in a critical state in the Intensive Care Unit, where he has undergone two brain surgeries to remove a bullet lodged in his skull. Family spokesperson Emily Wanjiru said he is on life support and has shown only minor signs of improvement.
“His brain function is severely impaired. Out of a normal score of 15, he’s currently at 2. The entire left side of his body is non-responsive,” she said.
The hospital bill, according to the family, has already reached approximately KSh1 million and continues to rise daily.
With no contact yet from either the police or the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the family is demanding accountability and legal action against the officer responsible for the shooting. They have since hired legal counsel to represent them in their pursuit of justice.
“No one from the government or oversight bodies has come forward,” said Emily. “We’re on our own, but we’re not giving up. He is still fighting, and so are we.”
The Kariuki family’s ordeal paints a stark picture of the human cost of police violence and the vulnerability of victims even after the cameras move on.
