Kenya is in mourning after the death of 22‑year‑old vendor Boniface Kariuki, shot at close range by a police officer during a protest on June 17 in Nairobi. Kariuki, who was selling face masks at a rally against police brutality, was struck in the head and died a few days later in hospital, the incident captured on video and shared widely on social media.
His funeral on July 11 in Kangema, Murang’a County, drew hundreds of mourners. His coffin—draped in the Kenyan flag—was carried through the streets as young people danced and chanted slogans in a mixture of grief and defiance. The public gathering, largely peaceful, was heavily monitored; riot police surrounded the venue, but no uniformed officers were present inside.
Kariuki has become a potent symbol of state violence. His death follows that of blogger Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody on June 8, and forms part of a broader pattern of police brutality: in just the last year, more than 100 people have died during successive protests, including at least 70 since the resurgence of unrest in June 2025. Eyewitnesses and human rights groups report scores more injured, missing, or abducted .
The grief has mutated into political pressure. Protests and public discourse are coalescing around the demand for President William Ruto’s resignation. Opponents have seized upon his recent statement that police should “shoot and break the legs” of anyone looting or damaging property during demonstrations—words many regard as state‑sanctioned violence. Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka declared the president’s directive unconstitutional, and called for his resignation or impeachment. Four officers have been charged in connection with the deaths of Kariuki, Ojwang, and others, and their plea hearings are scheduled for late July.
Security forces have aggressively thronged Nairobi and other counties. During Saba Saba Day on July 7, police locked down access to the capital, using live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannon. At least ten people were killed that day, while protests spread to 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties. Amnesty Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights have condemned the violence, pointing to mounting civilian casualties as evidence of impunity.
Ultimately, Kariuki’s death has galvanized youth activists and human rights groups alike. The hashtag #RutoMustGo, which emerged during last year’s anti‑tax protests, has resurfaced with renewed vigor. With each death and each funeral, public outrage deepens—and with it, the chorus for President Ruto’s departure continues to swell.
