Doctors: Kariuki suffered severe brain injury

Boniface Kariuki, the 22-year-old hawker shot at close range by police officers during Tuesday’s demonstrations in Nairobi, is under round the clock observation at Kenyatta National Hospital.

On Wednesday, the hospital’s CEO William Sigilai said the patient remains on mechanical ventilation as medics keep close observation. “He was critically ill with a gunshot on the head resulting in severe brain injury and excessive bleeding,” Sigilai said. 

“The emergency team led by Dr Sugut swung into action, stabilised his condition and placed him on life support.”

The medics said upon further examination, it was established that the bullet struck Kariuki on the left side of the head. He was wheeled to the theatre around 8:50pm for a delicate surgery conducted by a multidisciplinary team lead by Dr Sam Njiru, a consultant neurosurgeon.

The procedure, the doctors said, lasted two hours and the bullet was successfully removed then the patient was moved to ICU.

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Meanwhile, Kariuki’s father Jonah Kariuki said the moment he saw his son fall down after being shot, he thought Boniface was dead judging from the impact that felled him. “That was 8pm, and shortly one of his friends, who is also a trader, called me breaking the news. At that point, I felt numbness in my body,” Jonah said.

“While still recovering from the shock, another person told me he had seen somewhere that my son was alive, forcing me to rush to the Kenyatta National Hospital, where I spent the night,” he added.

The father said in the morning he was allowed to see his son although he was unable to speak. “I feel better after seeing him on the machine with signs that his heart is still beating. I’m optimistic that he will come out of danger contrary to what people were saying,” the father said.

“It is unfair that they shot him at a close range yet he had stepped aside while police were chasing the goons. I appeal to the government to ensure justice will be served and those who shot him will be brought to book,” he added.  Jonah, who hails from Murang’a also sells watches in Nairobi around Railways bus station.

Kariuki was shot during protests in Nairobi demanding resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat over the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’.

In a viral video, two anti-riot police officers were seen assaulting a trader along Kimathi Street, before one of them shoved him aside and shot him in the head. Immediately, the officers left the scene, well-wishers picked Kariuki and rushed him to Bliss hospital in critical condition for first aid. He was later moved to Kenyatta National hospital.

Similarly, Phillip Oketch, a university student, also shot during the protests was rushed to KNH where he was treated. “It is sad that the people been entrusted with security are the ones using excessive force and harming peaceful protesters. This country belong to all of us,” he said.

According to hospital records, 16 patients were received at the KNH as a result of Tuesday’s protests with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to blunt trauma. “Out of these, 7 patients were admitted for further management, 9 were treated and discharged, 2 have undergone surgery and 4 more are scheduled for surgical procedures,” Sigilai said.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was among leaders who visited the victims yesterday describing the shooting of protesters deliberate. “No Kenyan should be hunted down for expressing their views or for standing up for their future. The use of live bullets against protesters, many of whom were peacefully exercising their constitutional rights, is criminal and must be condemned,” he said.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah asked city governor Johnson Sakaja to clear the air on why some goons were captured chanting his name after attacking protesters in Nairobi.