Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Central Region Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi, accompanied by other senior police officers, visited the home of Boniface Kariuki, the mask vendor who was shot in the Central Business District (CBD) during the June 17 protests.

Kariuki became a victim of police brutality when peaceful demonstrations erupted in the city, with Kenyans demanding justice for blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died while in custody at the Nairobi Central Police Station.

Protesters also called for an end to police brutality and demanded that Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat step down after his name repeatedly surfaced in connection with the incident.

However, the peaceful protests were disrupted after hired goons infiltrated the city on motorbikes, leading to chaos.

Amid the unrest, Kariuki was confronted by two officers, identified as Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, who shot him at close range.

The mask vendor was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

His family has since raised concerns over escalating medical bills and revealed that they lost KSh 200,000 in public donations to scammers.

The officers’ visit to Kariuki’s home has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with many demanding justice and immediate support for the family as they continue to fight for their only son’s recovery.

Nicodemus Orora

"A good gesture from the police service. Not all of them are bad."

Gichengi M'Mwenda

"How will this charade restore the vibrant young life they denied this family?"

@LexieOmollo

"It was very kind of them to extend empathy to the family."

Grace Kesh

"I hope not to intimidate them, walipe the hospital bill and the right things by compensating them."

Simon Gitahi

"That's good. Now they should cater for the damage they have caused the family."

Bonnie Mstaafu Aliyekiona

"What will that help? Will it keep him alive? Those are fake PR."

Lawyer defending cops who shot Kariuki withdraws

Meanwhile, lawyer Felix Keaton, who was representing the police officers in Kariuki's shooting, withdrew from the case after reportedly receiving over 1,000 messages and calls from Gen Z protesters.

His decision followed public backlash after he argued that any shots fired during the protests were non-lethal and suggested the incident may have been a case of mistaken identity.

Keaton cited concerns for his safety and that of his family in stepping down from the case.

The development came after the two, Barasa and Kiprono, were interdicted to allow room for investigations.

Source: TUKO.co.ke