Two police officers have been interdicted over the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a hawker who was injured during protests in Nairobi on Tuesday.

In a statement, the National Police Service said Police Constables Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono have been interdicted and are being processed by the Homicide Team at the DCI Headquarters.

The officers are under investigation following the incident in which Kariuki was shot while selling face masks during demonstrations in the city centre.

The protests were part of public actions demanding justice over the death of teacher and influencer Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody at Central Police Station.

Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. “The National Police Service deeply regrets this act and commiserates with the victim and his family, while reaffirming its full commitment to ensuring justice is served,” the statement read.

KNH on Wednesday confirmed that Kariuki remains in critical condition but is under close observation. Hospital CEO Dr. William Sigilai said Kariuki was referred from a city clinic after sustaining a severe gunshot injury.

“Upon arrival at the Accident and Emergency Centre, he was critically ill with a wound on the left side of his head, resulting in bleeding and severe injury,” said Sigilai.

He added that a medical team led by Dr. Janet Sugut stabilised Kariuki and placed him on life support. A CT scan revealed a bullet lodged in the left side of his head.

At 8:50 p.m., a two-hour emergency surgery was performed by a team led by neurosurgeon Dr. Sam Njiru, during which an object believed to be a bullet was removed.

Kariuki was later transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where he is receiving continuous care from a team of specialists. The hospital says he is still in critical condition but remains alive under close monitoring.