Calls for justice at hawker Kariuki’s memorial
Susan Njeri Kariuki is overcome with grief during the requiem mass for her late son, Boniface Kariuki, held at All Saints Cathedral on July 09, 2025.
Tears flowed freely at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi as Kenyans paid an emotional tribute to Boniface Kariuki, the 23-year-old hawker who was shot dead at close range by a police officer outside Imenti House during last month’s protests.
Kariuki’s mother, Susan Njeri, had her tribute read on her behalf by a family member, Hannah Wanjiku.
“In our last call, I asked you to send me some money and cautioned you not to attend the protests. You told me, ‘Mum, I will not go,’ and you even spoke to your younger siblings. We did not know those would be your last words,” the tribute read.
The late's father, Jonah Kariuki, sat silently throughout the requiem mass, visibly broken.
Though he didn’t speak, his written tribute captured his grief: “An older boy is the same as the father. My heart is in pain and I do not know if it will ever end. I am just waiting for justice to prevail, but for now, I will rest so that you can rest, even though it is not easy.”
The congregation was told that hours before his death on June 17, Kariuki was happily chatting with fellow hawkers planning to sell masks to protesters for a profit.
Jona Kariuki (left), accompanied by his daughter Mary Wanjiru, carrying a photo frame of his late brother Boniface Kariuki during the requiem mass held at All Saints Cathedral on July 09, 2025.
“He told me he was going to buy a box of masks for Sh150 and sell it for a profit of Sh800. I said that was a good idea and left. I never knew it would be the last time I saw him,” said Edwin Wamunyoro, Kariuki’s close friend who introduced him to hawking.
Mr Wamunyoro described his friend as visionary and hardworking, and someone who had big dreams including building a home for his mother.
“It pains me that my friend who was simply trying to make an honest living was shot dead by police. Kariuki was intelligent and he had a future. We say no to extrajudicial killings! Today it is Kariuki, tomorrow, it could be any of us,” he said.
Starehe MP Amos Mwago, the only politician present, condemned the killings and accused the government of abandoning its responsibility to protect Kenyans.
“The government cannot run away from the atrocities it is committing. Gen Z protests were peaceful until the government chose to infiltrate them with goons. The result has been bloodshed,” he said.
Mr Mwago added that Parliament is under siege and incapable of passing meaningful laws to rescue the country from crisis.
“I was happy to see Kenyans rise and reject the Finance Bill 2024. We must now take responsibility for our future. Let us vote for leaders based on their integrity and history. It’s not a must to kill in order to lead,” he said.
Comedian and activist Eric Omondi, who also attended the service, condemned police brutality, revealing that his father was once a senior police officer.
“I am ashamed. My father must be turning in his grave because the ongoing killings make me wonder what kind of country we have become,” he said.
“Enough is enough. The cameras are watching. If you shoot a Kenyan today, the law will come for you personally. We now have a police force, not a police service,” he added.
He urged police officers not to blindly follow orders that go against their conscience.
The family has announced that Kariuki will be laid to rest at their home in Kangema, Murang’a County on Friday, July 11.
They appealed to well-wishers to help raise funds to give him a dignified send-off.