Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a Nairobi street vendor, is now fighting for his life after undergoing a second risky operation to remove bullet pieces still stuck in his head.
Doctors had discovered that his condition had become worse and decided to act fast to save his life. The operation took place on Thursday, June 19, at Kenyatta National Hospital. After the surgery, Kariuki was moved to the Intensive Care Unit and put on full life support due to his critical condition.
Kariuki’s story has drawn sympathy and anger in equal measure. His family is heartbroken and demanding that justice be served. They are deeply troubled by how a street vendor could end up with bullet wounds that now threaten to end his life. According to the family, doctors found the bullet fragments dangerously lodged in his skull, which had to be removed immediately. It was a high-risk surgery that lasted about four hours.
Kariuki had been recovering slowly after the first surgery, but things changed quickly on the morning of June 19. Around 10 a.m., doctors noticed that his condition was getting worse. That is when they decided to take him back to the operating room. His family says that despite being hopeful, they were warned that his situation was now very serious.
Eunice Kiragu, one of Kariuki’s relatives, said he was not in good shape after the surgery. She added that doctors found more complications than just the brain swelling they had expected.
The situation is extremely difficult for the family, who say they are doing their best to stay strong while waiting for any signs of improvement. They have expressed concern that this tragedy should never have happened in the first place and that someone must be held responsible.
At the Intensive Care Unit of Kenyatta National Hospital, Kariuki is still under full life support. Every hour that passes is uncertain. His loved ones are torn between pain and hope, but they are not giving up on him.
They have asked the government to step in, investigate the matter, and make sure that justice is done. The family believes that it is time for those responsible to be held accountable and for such cruelty to never happen again.
His family continues to pray for his recovery while seeking answers. They say this is not just about one person but about the many others who continue to suffer without justice in this country.
