Director General of the National Communication Centre, Charles Owino, has
said the officer who shot Boniface Mwangi Kariuki acted inappropriately,
despite being provoked by verbal abuse.
Speaking on Monday about the incident that left
Kariuki, a mask vendor, brain dead, Owino said officers are trained to exercise
restraint even in difficult situations.
“It was a very simple exchange. If you listen to
that clip closely, you will hear that boy abusing the policeman’s mother,”
Owino said.
“But that is not something that should make you shoot. You are an officer;
you must have restraint.”
Kariuki was shot at close range with a rubber
bullet during a confrontation between police and protesters in Nairobi.
He was admitted to Kenyatta National
Hospital (KNH) where he underwent two surgeries before doctors declared him
brain dead.
“You can see what it has caused the image of
the police so far,” Owino said.
He added that police are trained on the justifiable use of firearms and must take personal responsibility in
high-pressure situations.
“Police officers are aware that they will
always find themselves in situations where they have to act on their own
without the opportunity to refer to their books or their superiors,” he said.
“It is something that should be grown in you. You should know when you
should use [your firearm] and when you should not. And that is why policemen take
individual responsibilities.”
The family of Kariuki confirmed he remains on
life support, with bullet fragments lodged in his brain.
“Doctors told us there is no hope of recovery,” said family spokesperson
Emily Wanjira.
His father, Jonah Kariuki, said the hospital
bill has surpassed Sh1 million and is still rising.
The family is demanding action against the officer involved.
Calls
for justice and accountability continue to mount as incidents of police
violence during recent protests draw public concern.
