Boniface Kariuki is dead, family says

Parents of Boniface Kariuki, the hawker who was shot by police in the head during demonstrations. [David Gichuru,Standard]

Boniface Kariuki, hawker shot at close range during 'Justice for Albert Ojwang' protests two weeks ago is dead.

Family spokesperson Emily Wanjira says Kariuki was confirmed dead today at 3.15pm.

"We will now have to get the total bill because we have been told he is no more," she told The Standard on phone.

Kariuki's death comes a day after he was declared brain-dead.

Ms Wanjira on Sunday told reporters that the family was on Saturday night informed of  his status.

“We were called to come here at midnight. When we got here, they told us that he is now braindead but there is still a pulse. They cannot turn off the life support machine because of legal issues,"  she said.

For two weeks now, Kariuki, who was hawking masks before he was shot, has been lying in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.

The family say the hospital bill has already climbed to over Sh3 million.

Kariuki, 22, was rushed to the facility on June 17 after being shot along Tom Mboya Street during a demonstration calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

While surgeons who conducted the first head surgery on the patient reported that they had removed the bullet, some fragments of the ammunition lodged in Kariuki’s brain have presented a serious challenge for the medical team.

Ms Wanjira on Friday disclosed that Kariuki had undergone a third surgery, while doctors continued their efforts to save his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“He underwent surgery on Friday. The procedure involved relocating the breathing tubes from the nose to the throat to help him breathe normal oxygen,” said Ms Wanjira.

She added, “Part of it was a procedure known as pegging, which involves creating a pathway for feeding tubes below the abdomen, connecting to the intestines for patients unable to swallow.”