A father is pleading for justice after his 22-year-old son, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, was shot in the head by police during protests in Nairobi.

The young hawker is currently in the Intensive Care Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital after undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday night. His father, Jonah Kariuki, said the incident has left the family shattered and called on Kenyans to pray for his son’s recovery.

“All I can ask Kenyans is to pray for my son. I’ve seen him, and while his condition is not that bad, it’s not hopeless,” Kariuki told reporters on Wednesday after visiting the hospital.

Boniface, who sells face masks along city streets, was among demonstrators demanding justice for Albert Ojwang’ when he was shot near Imenti House by a uniformed officer. “What I want is justice for my son. Police officers should stop shooting innocent Kenyans,” the father said.

Kariuki, who is also a hawker, described Boniface as a hardworking and determined young man. “I have struggled to raise Boniface Mwangi Kariuki. I am heartbroken,” he said.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah also visited the hospital to show solidarity with the family.

“I came to see the hawker, but I’ve been informed I cannot see him because he is in the Intensive Care Unit,” he said.

“Boniface Mwangi Kariuki is alive but fighting for his life in the ICU at KNH. We pray for a speedy recovery for Boniface and for all other Kenyans injured yesterday.”

Health Director-General Dr. Patrick Amoth confirmed that Boniface had undergone surgery with a neurosurgical team. “As we speak, the patient is in theatre with the neurosurgical team,” Amoth said.

He added that an ICU bed had been prepared in advance. “As a precaution, we have prepared an ICU bed, as a case of this nature requires immediate intensive care support in the post-surgery period.”

The incident occurred on Tuesday during protests in the Central Business District, where demonstrators were calling for the resignation and arrest of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

A short video that has since gone viral shows two armed officers approaching the hawker before one of them shoots him at close range. Civilians are seen rushing to help him as he bleeds on the pavement.

The shooting has sparked national outrage, with human rights groups and leaders condemning the use of excessive force. National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga later confirmed the officer had been arrested and investigations had begun.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 22 casualties during protests held in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale. It said Boniface was among those injured after being shot at close range by police during a peaceful protest.

“The other injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts, whiplashes, blunt trauma, and asthma attacks after inhaling teargas,” the commission stated.