In a life-saving operation at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a multidisciplinary team of doctors successfully removed a suspected rubber bullet from the skull of Boniface Kariuki Mwangi, a 22-year-old facemask vendor shot by police during a protest in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on June 17, 2025.
The shooting, captured live on camera, has sparked nationwide outrage and calls for accountability over the excessive use of force by law enforcement.
Complex Surgery Led by Experts
KNH Chief Executive Officer, Dr. William Sigilai, confirmed that the two-hour operation was conducted by a team led by neurosurgeon Dr. Sam Njiru. The projectile, which caused severe brain trauma, was extracted and sent to forensic experts for analysis.
“The surgery was delicate due to the proximity of the projectile to critical brain structures. Despite the complexity, our team successfully removed the object,” Dr. Sigilai stated.
Following the surgery, Kariuki remains in critical condition, receiving mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Protests Turn Violent, Leaving Many Injured
The hospital also reported treating 16 other patients who sustained injuries during the protests. These injuries ranged from gunshot wounds to blunt force trauma, reflecting the chaotic nature of the demonstrations.
- Nine of the injured were treated and discharged.
- The remaining patients are under close medical observation, including one individual with a skull fracture caused by an assault.
The protests, initially peaceful, turned violent as anti-riot police confronted demonstrators. Witness accounts and video footage show Kariuki being shot at close range, raising questions about police conduct and adherence to protocol during crowd control operations.
Public Outrage Over Police Brutality
The incident has reignited debates about police brutality in Kenya, with civil society groups, politicians, and citizens demanding justice for Kariuki and others injured during the protests.
Human rights organizations have called for an independent investigation into the use of force by law enforcement, emphasizing the need to hold those responsible accountable.
“Kenyans have the right to peaceful protests. The excessive use of force, as witnessed in this case, is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently,” said a statement from the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
Calls for Reform and Justice
As Kariuki fights for his life, his story has become a rallying cry for systemic reforms within Kenya’s police service. Activists are urging the government to implement stricter oversight and training programs to prevent such incidents in the future.
“The violence witnessed during protests is not just about individual officers but reflects deeper issues within our security institutions. Change is long overdue,” said a representative from Amnesty International Kenya.
A Nation Awaits Answers
The object extracted from Kariuki’s skull will undergo forensic analysis to determine its origin, a key step in the investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the nation watches closely, awaiting justice for a young man whose livelihood was selling facemasks but whose life now hangs in the balance due to unchecked violence.
