Nairobi, Kenya – June 21, 2025 — The father of Boniface Kariuki, the 22-year-old face mask vendor shot by police during anti-Lagat protests in Nairobi, has fallen victim to a Ksh200,000 fraud perpetrated by individuals posing as officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to a family statement issued by spokesperson Emily Wanjiru, the scammers contacted Jonah Kariuki under the pretense of helping to settle Boniface’s mounting hospital bills at Kenyatta National Hospital. They claimed the family needed to be registered into the SHA scheme to receive financial assistance, a claim that turned out to be entirely false.
Kariuki was convinced to provide his personal details, including his M-Pesa PIN, under the impression that a payment of Ksh20,500 would secure the alleged registration. However, due to a transaction error, he accidentally transferred Ksh200,500, an amount the fraudsters immediately wiped from his account.
“Yes, it is true, they scammed me out of Ksh200,000, but it was a mistake. They had asked for Ksh20,500, but during the transaction process, I mistakenly keyed in Ksh200,500,” Kariuki told reporters.
Efforts to trace the perpetrators have so far failed, as the fraudsters quickly switched off their phone and deleted all transactional evidence, including the M-Pesa message confirming the transfer. Kariuki is now working with authorities in an attempt to recover the lost funds.
Boniface Kariuki, a 22-year-old hawker shot by police in Nairobi CBD, addresses the press on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Photo/Okiya Omtatah
The SHA has since reiterated that registration to the national health scheme is entirely free, warning the public against fraudsters claiming otherwise. Kenyans can register via USSD, online, or through employers, none of which require payment.
Meanwhile, Boniface remains hospitalized after undergoing two surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his head following the violent June 17 crackdown on demonstrators along Moi Avenue. The family is expected to hold a press briefing outside Kenyatta National Hospital in the coming days to update the public on his condition.
A screengrab of Susan Njeri, mother to Boniface Kariuki, the mask vendor who was shot by a police officer during protests in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Photo/NTV
The incident highlights the growing exploitation of vulnerable families amid national unrest, underscoring the need for both public vigilance and stronger safeguards against digital fraud.
Written By Rodney Mbua
