State to cover all hospital costs for Gen Z protest victims
The government has officially waived all hospital charges for victims injured during the recent Gen Z protests, including the late Boniface Kariuki, the 35-year-old mask seller shot during the Nairobi demos.
Health CS Aden Duale announced that Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) will bill all related costs to its Disaster Emergency Fund, completely removing the burden from affected families.
Boniface Kariuki’s Bill Cleared
Among the cleared balances is that of Kariuki, whose hospital stay had generated a bill of KSh 815,805 by the time of his death. Duale confirmed the waiver, making it clear that “no family should carry this weight alone.”
Kariuki died after being shot in the head at close range along Tom Mboya Street during a protest seeking justice for blogger Albert Ojwang.
Wounds Still Fresh, Questions Still Unanswered
The state’s move comes as fury continues to rise across the country following the violent police response to the June 17 and June 25 protests. Reports show that over 400 people were injured, and 19 lost their lives, most from gunshot wounds.
The incident involving Kariuki sparked public anger after footage showed officers confronting him before one allegedly fired the fatal shot.
While the bill waiver brings a form of relief to victims’ families, many Kenyans continue to demand accountability. Civil groups, medics, and protestors are calling for arrests and prosecutions of those behind the killings.
The government’s gesture is being seen as a necessary step—but far from enough—for a nation still grappling with the trauma of those dark protest days.
