Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has called on Kenyans to offer financial support for the treatment of a mask vendor who was shot by police during Tuesday’s protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mutula expressed relief that the vendor, who has been identified as Boniface Kariuki, was still alive and receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
He appealed to KNH management to prioritise Kariuki’s care and ensure he receives comprehensive medical attention.
“We thank God that he is still alive. KNH should use all available resources to ensure he gets the best treatment,” said the governor.
“Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) can create a paybill if deemed necessary.”
Governor Mutula also urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to expedite investigations into the shooting incident.
He warned against any attempts to delay justice or downplay the seriousness of the matter.
“The police officer who shot him has been unmasked. We don’t expect short stories, Bwana IG,” he said.
On Tuesday, Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth confirmed that Kariuki will undergo specialised post-operative care at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The vendor was shot point-blank by an anti-riot officer at Imenti House.
Kariuki, in videos going viral on social media, was accosted by two cops while selling masks to protesters, during which one of the cops fired at him.
Following his shooting, where he can be seen falling and blood oozing from his head, it was initially presumed he had died.
Amoth, however, said he is alive and undergoing an operation by a neurosurgical team.
“As a precaution, we have prepared an ICU bed because a case of such nature requires ICU support immediately in the post-surgery period,” he said on Tuesday.
The incident has triggered calls for the officer’s arrest and prosecution, and demands for respect of human life.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga is among those who have condemned the shooting, describing the action as one “without a drop of humanity”.
In a statement seen by the Star, Maraga said that as a result of using ‘rogue operatives’ and goons, at least 22 people were reported from the protests.
“The Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR), an independent national human rights institution established by the Kenyan Constitution and the KNCHR Act under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, has, as of this evening, recorded twenty-two casualties of shootings and violent attacks that happened across the country today.”
The former Chief Justice, however, commended Kenyan youths for their unwavering pursuit of justice and accountability.
