Boniface Kariuki, the 22-year-old mask vendor who was shot at close range during the Tuesday, June 17, protests, was pronounced dead on Monday, June 30.

After a postmortem was conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital Funeral Home, pathologist Peter Ndegwa confirmed that Boniface Kariuki died after a bullet penetrated his brain.

“Well, the problem of head injury, especially, is bleeding in the brain, and on the brain, or around the brain. And the bleeding here was global,” Ndegwa said.

He further revealed that four more rubber bullet fragments were removed from Boniface’s head during the exercise.

“During the exercise, we also found some bullet fragments in the brain that were not removed during the first operation. They were four and blackish rubber fragments,” he said.

Kariuki was shot during protests demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, following the death of Albert Ojwang’

A video shared on social media captures the moments leading up to Kariuki’s ordeal. In the footage, Kariuki is seen being harassed by two officers. Moments later, despite showing no sign of threat or resistance, one officer allegedly fires at close range. Kariuki collapses, and bystanders scream.

He was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where he survived on life support until he was confirmed dead on Monday, June 30.

Following Boniface Kariuki’s death, police constables Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, who were arrested 2 days after Kariuki was shot, will now remain in custody at Capitol Hill Police Station until Thursday, July 10, while investigations continue.

Kariuki’s family now says it is living on hope that justice will prevail.

Boniface Kariuki will be laid to rest on Friday, July 11, at Karirau village, Muranga county.