Mask vendor’s father breaks silence after visiting him at Kenyatta National Hospital
After the identity of the mask vendor who was shot along Moi Avenue remained unknown despite the viral incident, his father, Jonah Kariuki, has come out to break his silence.
While addressing the media outside Kenyatta National Hospital while in the company of Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the father confirmed that the mask seller is indeed his son, Boniface Kariuki Mwangi, 22 years old, and expressed his sadness over what happened. He further stated that after visiting him in the hospital, he found his condition to be at least promising.
He went on to explain that he has raised Boniface through hardship and that he himself is also a hawker, just like his son. He said Boniface normally sells masks around the commercial area in the CBD and that they are residents of Makadara.
“Mimi naitwa Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, na kijana aliyepigwa risasi ni wangu, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki. Anafanya kazi ya hawking, anauza mask, na pia mimi ni hawker. Nimemlea kwa shida sana, niko na huzuni kulingana na mahali ambapo ako, lakini si mbaya sana; natunaomba bado atakuwa poa, ako miaka 22, anatokanga Makadara lakini anauzianga commercial, anahawk uko,” Kariuki stated.
A fellow vendor who was with Boniface during the incident identified himself as Edwin Kagia. He said they were vending masks as usual at Imenti House when a canister was aimed at them. Edwin added that police officers confronted them, and he was slapped by one of them.
“My name is Edwin Kagia. I am a vendor. Yesterday we were doing business as usual; we were vending masks with Boniface Kariuki Mwangi, na alikuwa anauzia mask pale Imenti. Askari akamkujia, akampiga makofi, na akainua mikono. Ndiyo askari akaweza akamshoot na akaweza kuanguka,” Edwin said.
Despite Boniface surrendering by raising his hands, he was shot and collapsed. He was then rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment. Edwin urged the public to ignore the rumours circulating on social media claiming that Boniface had died, stating clearly that he is alive.
’’From there akaletwa hapa Kenyatta ambapo amekuwa akishughulikiwa na madaktari. I personally tumeweza kumuona na babake ako uhai na ile notion iko social media ati ameweza kuaga dunia Boniface Mwangi ako uhai,” he added.
Omtatah’s reaction
Omtatah, who accompanied the father to the hospital, also gave an update on Boniface’s condition. He said that although he was denied access to the ICU to see how the victim was faring, he was informed that Boniface is in stable condition.
“Nimefika hapa, na nimezuiliwa kuingia kule, lakini kwangu, kitu ya muhimu ni ati nimuone kwa macho nikuhakikishiwa kwamba yuko hai; mimi hio nimetosheka. Tuzidi kumwombea mungu ili hao madaktari waokoe maisha yake,” Omtatah said.
