The father of a mask vendor was shot at close range by a police officer during Tuesday’s demonstrations has visited him at Kenyatta National Hospital KNH, where he is receiving treatment.
Speaking to the press early Wednesday Jonah Kariuki says he arrived at the hospital Tuesday night after receiving news of his son being shot. He said he first saw the news of his son Boniface Mwangi, being shot on his mobile phone, but he was not sure the person was his son; later he received a phone call at around 8pm that confirmed the tragic news.
”Nilikuwa nimeona kwa simu, nikaangalia picha nikashtuka kwa sababu niliona nani huyu anafanana kijana yangu lakini sikuchukulia hiyo, baadaye nilipigiwa simu usiku saa mbili na wale wanakaa na yeye wakaniambia kijana yako amepigwa risasi.” Kariuki stated.
Kariuki said he watched as his son being gunned down wondering why the police could do that saying he was only trying to fend for himself. ”Mimi hata akipigwa risasi nilikuwa naona, alikuwa anauza maski, ni kijana mzuri sio mkora.” he said.
Kariuki says he was allowed to see his 22-year-old son Wednesday morning after spending the night at the hospital. According to him even though, Mwangi’s health is critical he is relieved that his son is alive and did not die as earlier reported.
”Nimeona ako sawa lakini siwezi sema sana juu hiyo ni machine, nimeona anapiga roho sio vile watu walikuwa wanasema (alifariki dunia).”
Kariuki is calling on justice saying he did not deserve to be treated like that by the officers who were supposed to protect him , ”Kijana yangu anauza vitu mingi hata earings na masks, sio mkora, hata wale walimpiga pia wana watoto.” he said.
Kariuki was accompanied by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah who condemned the incident, refuting reports on social media that he had died. ”Nilimpigia daktari simu mapema leo (Jumanne) nikimuulizia baada ya kuona kuwa alikuwa amefariki. Daktari aliniambia kuwa kijana yuko sawa na naweza kuja kumwona.” he said.
However the senator said he was not allowed to visit him since he was not the family member. ”Nilifika hapa asubuhi lakini nikazuiwa kuingia kumwona lakini kwangu hilo sio jambo kubwa cha muhimu ni kuwa kijana yuko hai na tunamwombea na wale madaktari wale wanamshughulikia ili aweze kupona.”
Edwin Kagie, Mwangi’s friend who was also selling masks has narrated what happened on Tuesday, ”Tulikuwa tunauza maski sote, kwa bahati mbaya alikuwa pale Imenti House, na askari walipokuja Bonface aliinua mikono juu lakini polisi walimpiga risasi.”
This comes even as the police officer who was involved in the shooting of Mwangi is expected to be arraigned in court. According to a statement by the National police Service NPS the said officer was arrested Tuesday following orders from the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, after a public outcry
