Govt Reveals Procedure Doctors Took To Try Save Nairobi CBD Mask Hawker's Life

Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth has revealed that doctors at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) recommended emergency surgery to be done on Boniface Kariuki, the hawker selling masks who was shot by a police officer in the head at close range during protests in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, June 17, Amoth revealed that Kariuki was promptly attended to upon arrival at the hospital at 4 pm, minutes after he was shot by the officer.

According to Amoth, neurosurgeons recommended that Kariuki undergo an immediate neurosurgical intervention. At the moment, he was in theatre with the team battling to save his life.

Director General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth during a past address. /UZALENDO NEWS

“The patient was received here at around 4 PM; he was promptly evaluated by the emergency team, the necessary first aid was thereafter administered, and the necessary tests conducted,” he said.

“Evaluation by the neurosurgeons indicated that he was required to undergo an emergency neurosurgical procedure. As we speak, the patient is in theatre with the neurosurgical team."

Amoth issued a statement appearing to dismiss reports on social media that Kariuki (since identified instead of Eli Joshua) succumbed to his injuries right after the incident occurred.

Before the press briefing, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the arrest of the officer, who is yet to be officially identified. Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga stated that the officer will be arraigned in court.

NPS further revealed that the officer in a baseball cap had shot Kariuki using an "anti-riot shotgun" in an incident that has shocked the whole country.

"The National Police Service (NPS) has noted with great concern an incident involving the shooting of an unarmed civilian by a police officer using an anti-riot shotgun, within the Nairobi Central Business District on 17th June 2025," the statement read in part.

"Following this incident, the Inspector-General National Police Service ordered the immediate arrest and arraignment in court of the involved officer. The said police officer has since been arrested."

As first reported by Viral Tea, the police officer was seen sprinting toward a group of protesters gathered along Mondlane Street near Imenti House, emerging from a larger group of officers stationed on Moi Avenue across from the Nairobi Sports Centre.

The officer, charging toward the crowd, discharged his firearm in their direction, though no injuries were reported at that point. Moments later, the officer returned, turning off Moi Avenue onto Mondlane Street alongside a fellow officer. There, they confronted the man selling face masks.

Rather than moving past him, the two officers stopped. One slapped the man, while the other struck him with the butt of his rifle. Seconds later, the first officer raised his weapon and shot the man at close range.

The incident is likely to dent the image of the police force in Kenya beyond measurable repair. Ironically, the Tuesday protests were organised to demand accountability from Deputy Inspector General Lagat over the alleged custodial death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.