Latest news with #BonifaceKariuki
Reuters
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Man shot by Kenyan police during protests is in intensive care, father says
NAIROBI, June 18 (Reuters) - A man shot at point blank range by a Kenyan police officer during protests in the capital Nairobi against extrajudicial killings by security forces is alive but in intensive care, his father said on Wednesday. Protests broke out in Nairobi and Kenya's second-largest city, Mombasa, on Tuesday over the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody on June 8. A video posted on Kenyan broadcaster Citizen Television's X account on Tuesday showed two policemen repeatedly striking a man - subsequently identified as Boniface Kariuki - on the head before one of them fired at him with a long-barrelled gun as he tried to walk away. Police said late on Tuesday an officer had been arrested in connection with the shooting. On Wednesday, the victim's father Jonah Kariuki said the 22-year-old was in the intensive care unit at the government-funded Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi. "He is on machine support," Kariuki said in a video posted on X by The Standard newspaper. "I have seen he has a heartbeat ... I have some hope." A Reuters journalist saw the young man on the ground on Tuesday with a heavily bleeding head wound, his hand clutching a packet of face masks. "He was selling masks, it's not that he is a criminal. I have never heard him steal," Kariuki said. The death of 31-year-old blogger Ojwang stoked anger over long-standing accusations of extrajudicial killings by security forces in the east African country. Police had initially attributed his death to suicide, but apologised after an independent autopsy found that his wounds were the result of assault. President William Ruto, too, said Ojwang had died "at the hands of the police". Human rights groups, the Law Society of Kenya and the judiciary have expressed concern at the increased incidents of alleged police brutality. (This story has been refiled to add the dropped word 'range' in paragraph 1)
The Independent
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Father of a man shot during latest protests in Kenya calls for police accountability
Activists and the father of a Kenyan civilian who was shot at close range by police during the latest protests over the alleged killing of a blogger in custody on Wednesday demanded for accountability and called for the officer who shot him to be charged. Boniface Kariuki's father, Jonah Kariuki, told journalists his only son remained under intensive care after he underwent surgery on Tuesday night. He said the bullet went through his son's head, just above the ear, but the surgery had been 'successful' and 'his heart was beating.' The 22-year-old Kariuki, a hawker like his father, was holding a packet of face masks and is believed to have been caught up in a confrontation with two officers in Nairobi as hundreds of protesters clashed with police. One officer, who had concealed his face with a mask, shot him in the head as he walked away. Police in a statement expressed concern and said the officer had been arrested. Tuesday's protests in the capital followed tensions over the death of the blogger, Albert Ojwang, who was found dead while in custody at the Central Police Station. Ojwang was arrested on June 6 in western Kenya for what police called publishing 'false information' about a top police official on social media. Police attributed his death to him 'hitting his head against the cell wall,' but activists have questioned the cause of death. Protesters on Tuesday demanded the arrest of police deputy inspector general Eliud Langat, who had filed a defamation complaint against Ojwang. Langat said Monday he had stepped aside to pave the way for investigations and would cooperate with investigating agencies. Two officers at the Central Police Station were arrested last week. Kariuki said the officer who shot his son should take 'individual responsibility' for his actions. A Kenyan politician and activist, Okiya Omtatah, on Wednesday called for the prosecution of the officer and questioned why police were wearing facemasks during an operation. Tuesday's protests turned violent and 11 people were taken to the national referral hospital where Mwangi was being treated. The hospital spokesperson said the injuries included gunshot wounds. The judiciary in a statement on Wednesday said it was committed to 'uphold justice' in all cases including those involving alleged police brutality. The U.K embassy in Kenya in a statement on X social media urged for 'a swift, independent & transparent investigation into the actions of the police.' Kenya has a history of police brutality, and President William Ruto previously vowed to end it, along with extrajudicial killings. Last year, several activists and protesters were abducted and killed by Kenyan police during finance bill protests. The demonstrations led to calls for Ruto's removal.
Washington Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Father of a man shot during latest protests in Kenya calls for police accountability
NAIROBI, Kenya — Activists and the father of a Kenyan civilian who was shot at close range by police during the latest protests over the alleged killing of a blogger in custody on Wednesday demanded for accountability and called for the officer who shot him to be charged. Boniface Kariuki's father, Jonah Kariuki, told journalists his only son remained under intensive care after he underwent surgery on Tuesday night. He said the bullet went through his son's head, just above the ear, but the surgery had been 'successful' and 'his heart was beating.'
Toronto Star
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Father of a man shot during latest protests in Kenya calls for police accountability
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Activists and the father of a Kenyan civilian who was shot at close range by police during the latest protests over the alleged killing of a blogger in custody on Wednesday demanded for accountability and called for the officer who shot him to be charged. Boniface Kariuki's father, Jonah Kariuki, told journalists his only son remained under intensive care after he underwent surgery on Tuesday night. He said the bullet went through his son's head, just above the ear, but the surgery had been 'successful' and 'his heart was beating.'
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Father of a man shot during latest protests in Kenya calls for police accountability
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Activists and the father of a Kenyan civilian who was shot at close range by police during the latest protests over the alleged killing of a blogger in custody on Wednesday demanded for accountability and called for the officer who shot him to be charged. Boniface Kariuki's father, Jonah Kariuki, told journalists his only son remained under intensive care after he underwent surgery on Tuesday night. He said the bullet went through his son's head, just above the ear, but the surgery had been 'successful' and 'his heart was beating.' The 22-year-old Kariuki, a hawker like his father, was holding a packet of face masks and is believed to have been caught up in a confrontation with two officers in Nairobi as hundreds of protesters clashed with police. One officer, who had concealed his face with a mask, shot him in the head as he walked away. Police in a statement expressed concern and said the officer had been arrested. Tuesday's protests in the capital followed tensions over the death of the blogger, Albert Ojwang, who was found dead while in custody at the Central Police Station. Ojwang was arrested on June 6 in western Kenya for what police called publishing 'false information' about a top police official on social media. Police attributed his death to him 'hitting his head against the cell wall,' but activists have questioned the cause of death. Protesters on Tuesday demanded the arrest of police deputy inspector general Eliud Langat, who had filed a defamation complaint against Ojwang. Langat said Monday he had stepped aside to pave the way for investigations and would cooperate with investigating agencies. Two officers at the Central Police Station were arrested last week. Kariuki said the officer who shot his son should take 'individual responsibility' for his actions. A Kenyan politician and activist, Okiya Omtatah, on Wednesday called for the prosecution of the officer and questioned why police were wearing facemasks during an operation. Tuesday's protests turned violent and 11 people were taken to the national referral hospital where Mwangi was being treated. The hospital spokesperson said the injuries included gunshot wounds. The judiciary in a statement on Wednesday said it was committed to 'uphold justice' in all cases including those involving alleged police brutality. The U.K embassy in Kenya in a statement on X social media urged for 'a swift, independent & transparent investigation into the actions of the police.' Kenya has a history of police brutality, and President William Ruto previously vowed to end it, along with extrajudicial killings. Last year, several activists and protesters were abducted and killed by Kenyan police during finance bill protests. The demonstrations led to calls for Ruto's removal.
