Hawker Boniface Kariuki laid to rest as opposition leaders call for Ruto's impeachment

Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a 22-year-old mask vendor who was shot in the head by police in an unprovoked attack, was on Friday laid to rest following a burial service at the Githunguri grounds in Kangema Constituency, Murang'a County.

Opposition leaders who attended the burial service called for the impeachment of President William Ruto over the wanton killing of Kenya's youth.

Kariuki, the first and only son of John Kariuki Nyambura and Susan Njeri Kariuki, was remembered by his sisters and cousins as dependable.

"You were taken from us not by fate but by injustice. You will never be forgotten, not just by us but the entire country," said Francis Muranja, his cousin.

His sister added, "My brother, your death has scared all of us. The last one week you were in the hospital was the toughest for us. We fasted and prayed, hoping that you would recover."

As Kariuki’s life was celebrated, there were repeated calls for sobriety in light of shoot-to-kill and shoot-to-maim orders issued to police by Kenya Kwanza leaders, including President Ruto.

"Kama kweli tungekuwa na Bunge, William Ruto angekuwa nyumbani," said former Attorney General Justin Muturi.

DAP-K Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, on his part, said, "Kumbe bottom-up ilikuwa kutoa vijana chini awapeleke mbinguni kupitia risasi ya polisi."

Despite the pain of Kariuki’s death, Kenyans were called upon to remain united, respect private and public property, and register their grievances at the 2027 ballot.

"Hatuna Bunge, kwa hivyo mjue mko kivyenu. Mchukue kura," Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah noted.

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka added, "With IEBC in place, we want to see urgent recruitment of voters."

Church leaders also called for cooler heads to prevail among the political class and for command responsibility, following the arraignment of police constable Klinzy Barasa on Thursday on murder charges.

"Someone gave careless orders. Mr President, hii haifai," Bishop Ben Kamau of Jesus Christ Compassion Ministry stated.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata added, "This government must take responsibility for the death of Boniface Kariuki. Tunambia serikali hii, mumefanya, hatutawahi sahau."

As Kariuki was buried, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that the death toll from the Saba Saba Day protests on July 7 had risen to 38. At least 14 out of 15 postmortems carried out so far show death caused by gunshot wounds.

A majority of the victims already identified are below the age of 25, with a total of 130 people nursing injuries.