NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has condemned the fatal police shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki, demanding full accountability for the incident.
Concurrently, the Governor also denounced the escalating violence and destruction that have severely impacted the city during recent protests.
In a statement to the media, Governor Sakaja affirmed the constitutional right to peaceful protest but issued a stern warning against those exploiting demonstrations for criminal purposes.
“The tragic shooting of Boniface Kariuki by a police officer is deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democratic society. I call on all the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough, independent investigation and ensure the responsible officer is held fully accountable,” Sakaja stated.
He explicitly condemned the resulting damage, saying: “I strongly condemn the destruction of property and the injuring of people following the recent demonstrations in Nairobi City.”
Governor Sakaja highlighted the significant financial repercussions for business owners, estimating losses in the “hundreds of millions of shillings.”
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He further elaborated on the broader economic impact, noting: “Already, Nairobi has suffered losses estimated in the billions. Businesses have shut down, jobs have been disrupted, and livelihoods destroyed.”
The Governor urged the National Police Service to respond to acts of violence, vandalism, and looting “with firmness and fairness” to apprehend those responsible.
He appealed to the public, especially the youth, to reject violence, emphasizing: “Let us not allow criminal elements to hijack our democratic space. Peaceful protest is a right, but it must not come at the cost of innocent lives or public order.”
Governor Sakaja concluded by urging Kenyans to channel their grievances through established democratic institutions such as Parliament and the Judiciary, rather than resorting to violent means.
