Scammers impersonating officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) have reportedly defrauded Johan Kariuki, father of Boniface Kariuki – a mask vendor shot by police during the June 17th protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) – of KSh 200,000.

According to family spokesperson Emily Wanjiru, the fraudsters contacted Mr. Kariuki, promising to assist with hospital bills.

They then obtained his M-Pesa details and subsequently emptied his account. Wanjiru further revealed that Johan Kariuki received a call from an individual pretending to be comedian and political activist Eric Omondi.

This imposter claimed to be with the “Sisi Kwa Sisi” chairman and offered to help the family with the hospital expenses.

The Kariuki family is scheduled to hold a press briefing on Saturday, June 21, at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) at 12 noon, to provide an update on Boniface’s condition.

The 22-year-old has undergone two surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his head.

Boniface , who was caught in the chaos of the June 17 demonstrations, arrived at KNH’s Accident and Emergency Department at 3:16 PM in a critical state.

According to KNH’s Acting CEO, Dr. William Sigilai, Boniface sustained a severe gunshot wound to the left side of his head, resulting in massive brain trauma and significant bleeding.

Meanwhile,the two police officers implicated in the near-fatal shooting of Boniface Kariuki, Constables Klinzy Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, are currently detained at Capitol Hill Police Station.

This detention is to allow the prosecution to complete its investigations, following an agreement between the prosecution and the defence counsel presented before the Milimani Law Courts.