Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death for Mask Seller Boniface Kariuki
Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor who was shot in the head at close range by a police officer during the protests held on June 17, died from severe head injuries caused by a gunshot wound, according to the findings of a post-mortem examination.
The results of the autopsy were shared publicly on Thursday, July 3, by renowned pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa. Kariuki’s family had requested his involvement in the post-mortem due to the sensitive nature of the case and the need for a thorough and independent examination.
“We have concluded that the main cause of death was serious head trauma resulting from a single bullet wound,” Dr. Ndegwa stated during the press briefing.
The detailed post-mortem, conducted in collaboration with government pathologist Dr. Bernard Midia, revealed that Kariuki had a total of four bullet fragments embedded in his brain.
This was in addition to two other bullet pieces that doctors had successfully removed while he was still alive and receiving treatment.
Despite medical efforts to save him, Dr. Ndegwa explained that the brain had sustained extensive damage. “Even though doctors managed to remove some fragments, several particles remained in the brain. The level of injury was too high, and the chances of survival were extremely low,” he noted.
The autopsy findings also confirmed that a widely circulated video, showing a police officer firing a single shot that hit Kariuki in the head, was genuine. The examination proved that he was indeed shot at close range, and that the bullet impact led to catastrophic injuries to the brain, which were ultimately fatal.
Officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) attended the autopsy session as part of their ongoing investigation. IPOA is expected to compile a comprehensive report and forward their conclusions to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
Kariuki’s father, Mr. Jonah Kariuki, confirmed that his son passed away on Monday, June 30, at approximately 3:15 pm.
Kariuki had spent several weeks in hospital under critical care after the shooting incident. His sister had earlier shared that he was declared brain dead following over a week in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he remained unresponsive despite multiple surgeries.
Following the release of the autopsy report, Kariuki’s family has announced that his burial will take place on Friday, July 11, in their home village in Kangema.
In a show of support, President William Ruto reportedly donated Ksh1 million to Kariuki’s family to help them during this difficult time. The donation was delivered personally by Kangema Member of Parliament, Peter Irungu Kihungi.
Meanwhile, two police officers believed to have been involved in the shooting were arraigned in court earlier on Thursday, June 5. However, the court proceedings were postponed to allow for changes in the charges, which are being elevated from causing grievous bodily harm to murder.
The tragic death of Boniface Kariuki has sparked outrage among members of the public, civil society groups, and human rights organizations, who are now calling for justice and accountability in the use of force by law enforcement during protests.
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