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President William Ruto has donated Ksh1 million to the family of Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor who was fatally shot by police during nationwide protests on June 17. The donation, delivered by Kangema MP Peter Irungu Kihungi, was aimed at easing the family’s funeral expenses following Kariuki’s tragic death on July 1.
The president's gesture, however, has been met with mixed emotions across the country. While the financial support provides temporary relief, it fails to silence mounting outrage over the circumstances surrounding the young man's death and the broader issue of unchecked police violence.
Kariuki, who earned a living selling masks in Nairobi’s CBD, was shot in the head during a chaotic crackdown on demonstrators protesting the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, he was declared brain dead after nearly two weeks in intensive care.
His death has become a symbol of the escalating brutality within Kenya’s law enforcement ranks. What makes his story even more harrowing is that he was not part of the protest—he was merely trying to earn a living amid the chaos. His mother, Susan Njeri, described her son as hardworking and peaceful.
With hospital bills exceeding Ksh3.6 million and no initial aid offered, the Kariuki family found themselves overwhelmed. The Ksh1 million donation from the president, though appreciated, covers only a fraction of the costs.
Leaders who visited the family, including MPs and a representative from the Ministry of Interior, promised justice and support. Yet, doubts remain. The family had been unable to even record a statement with police until top officials intervened—an indication of systemic negligence.
While the president’s financial aid may reflect goodwill, critics argue that such donations risk becoming a substitute for real institutional reform. Without arrests, convictions, or concrete policy changes, the money serves more as damage control than justice.
Kenya’s civil society continues to demand accountability not just for Kariuki, but for a long list of victims of extrajudicial killings. The presence of political figures and Ministry officials at Kariuki's home might have comforted the family temporarily, but the burden of long-term justice lies beyond condolences and contributions.
Boniface Kariuki will be laid to rest on July 11. His story joins a growing archive of tragedies that demand more than financial gestures—they call for institutional reckoning. Until then, the public remains restless, and the cries for justice only grow louder.
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