Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

New details have emerged following the death of mask vendor Boniface Kariuki, who was shot during protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Kariuki passed away on Monday, June 3, after undergoing two life-saving surgeries on his brain to remove the bullet fragments.

An autopsy was carried out on Kariuki at the Kenyatta National Hospital to establish the exact cause of his untimely death.

According to Kariuki's family doctor, four bullet fragments remained lodged in the deceased's brain. While two others were removed through two lifesaving surgeries, while he was still alive

"There were still some particles in the brain. They were rubbery and blackish. The brain is quite destroyed," Family doctor Peter Ndegwa told Citizen TV.

It was also established that the hawker died from the brain injuries that he sustained from being shot at close range by an anti-riot police officer.

"The brain is quite disturbed, and the chances of survival were very minimal," Ndegwa added.

The autopsy was conducted by government pathologist Bernard Midia in collaboration with the family doctor, Peter Ndegwa, on Thursday, Jun 3.

The family spokesperson, Emily Wanjira, stated that it was difficult to remove the four remaining bullet fragments as they were deeply lodged in the brain.

"The doctors could not have tried to touch those fragments because he could have died," Wanjira said.

Despite the autopsy establishing Kariuki's cause of death, the exact time of death was to established. The doctors stated that there were chances that Kariuki's brain died days before his family was notified.

The hawker had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was being closely monitored.

The mask vendor's family has reiterated its call for justice, asking the Kenya Kwanza government to ensure that the perpetrators behind Kariuki's death are brought to book.

Source: TUKO.co.ke