Chaos broke out during a candlelight vigil held in Nairobi on July 9, 2025, to remember Boniface Kariuki, a young hawker who was recently shot and killed by police during protests.
The event had started peacefully with mourners gathering at the exact place where Kariuki lost his life. People lit candles, sang the national anthem, and stood together in silence, showing deep pain and unity.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief, and many had come not just to mourn but to call for justice.As the crowd stood in remembrance, things suddenly changed when police officers arrived at the scene.
Without warning, tear gas canisters were launched into the group, causing people to scream and run in all directions. Panic quickly spread as tear gas filled the air in the middle of Nairobi’s busy Central Business District. Mourners who had come in peace were forced to flee as the police used force to disperse them.
Those with children and the elderly struggled to escape the choking gas, with some falling or getting injured in the rush.
Despite the chaos, a number of young people chose to stand their ground. They held onto a large banner with Kariuki’s face and shouted chants demanding justice.
Even with their eyes burning and their voices cracking, they kept shouting. The message was clear they were not afraid, and they would not be silenced. Witnesses said the scene quickly moved from one of quiet mourning to one of confusion and fear.
Videos shared online showed people coughing, some crying, while others tried to help each other away from the smoke.
One mourner was heard saying they had expected this kind of police reaction.The vigil was not just about lighting candles. It was about a broken system.
Kariuki’s death is part of a growing list of police killings in Kenya. His shooting happened during protests over another death that of Albert Ojwang’, a young man who died while in police custody.
People are angry, and the mood in the country is tense. The community wants answers, and many feel the government is not listening.
Just a day before the vigil, Kariuki was remembered in a requiem mass at All Saints Cathedral. Though his body wasn’t there, the sorrow was strong. Security was high during the service, with fears that mourners could face more police action.
Kariuki will be buried on July 11, 2025, in Kangema, Murang’a County. His family continues to ask why such force was used on a young man trying to earn a living.
Many are left wondering how many more lives will be lost before justice becomes more than just a chant in the streets.
Leave feedback about this