"What Will His Mother Say?": Kenyan Celebrities Ignite a Storm of Outrage Over Police Shooting of Young Vendor

Nairobi, Kenya – The shooting of 22-year-old Boniface Kariuki, a young man who was simply trying to eke out a living by selling face masks to protesters, has struck a deep and painful chord with Kenyans from all walks of life. But it is the country's celebrities who have been at the forefront of the public outcry, using their powerful platforms to demand justice and accountability. The tragic incident, which was captured on video and quickly went viral, shows Kariuki being shot in the head by a riot officer on Moi Avenue. Acclaimed actor Abel Mutua, known to his fans as "Mkurugenzi," was one of the first to share the footage, calling the shooting an "atrocity" and condemning the apparent impunity of the officer involved.

The outrage quickly spread, with musician Bensoul posting a heartbreaking photograph of the injured Kariuki in the hospital, and comedian Nicki Bigfish sharing graphic images from the scene, his captions dripping with anger and frustration at the violence being meted out to the country's youth. Veteran rapper King Kaka shared a poignant video of Kariuki's fellow vendors mourning at the scene, his simple but powerful question, “What will his mother say about his whereabouts?” capturing the profound sense of loss and injustice that has gripped the nation. The celebrities' posts, which have been shared thousands of times, have not only fueled a wider national conversation about police brutality but have also put immense pressure on the authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the shooting of an innocent young man whose only crime was trying to survive.