The government has stepped in to support victims of the recent anti-government protests, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announcing that all medical bills incurred by those injured during the June 17 and 25 demonstrations will be fully waived.
At the center of this announcement is the case of Boniface Kariuki, a Twenty-something-year-old hawker and mask vendor who became a symbol of the brutal police crackdown during the protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Kariuki was shot at close range in the head by a police officer while participating in the demonstrations, triggering national outrage and renewed calls for police accountability.
Kariuki succumbed to his injuries on Sunday at 3:15 pm after spending nearly two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital. His hospital bill had ballooned to KSh 815,805 by the time of his passing.
Health CS Duale, in a statement issued Monday, said he had directed Kenyatta National Hospital to waive all pending medical bills for Kariuki and other protest victims. The costs will be covered by the hospital’s Disaster Emergency Fund.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected,” said Duale. “We offer our deepest condolences to families who have lost loved ones and extend our support to all those still recovering.”
Kariuki’s death has sparked fresh scrutiny of police conduct during public demonstrations, especially as images and video footage of the incident continue to circulate online.
