Kenyan Government Waives Medical Bills For Protest Victims

In response to public outcry following the deadly Gen Z-led protests, the Kenyan government has announced a full waiver of medical bills for all victims injured during the demonstrations including the late Boniface Kariuki, a 35-year-old mask vendor who died after being shot by police.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale made the announcement on Monday, directing Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to cover all related expenses under its Disaster Emergency Fund.

“This includes the outstanding bill of the late Mr. Boniface Kariuki, which stood at KSh 815,805 at the time of his passing,” CS Duale said in a statement.
The decision follows growing anger over the government’s handling of the youth-led protests on June 17 and June 25, which resulted in at least 19 deaths and more than 400 injuries. Many of the casualties were reportedly caused by live bullets fired by police at close range.

Kariuki was one of the victims whose story drew national attention. He was shot in the head along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi while participating in protests demanding justice for influencer Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody. A video showing two officers confronting and then shooting Kariuki went viral, sparking widespread condemnation.

After the incident, Kariuki was admitted to KNH, where he spent nearly two weeks on life support. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, he never regained consciousness and was later declared brain-dead.

Speaking at Afya House, CS Duale expressed the government’s condolences to those affected and assured them of continued support.

“We offer our deepest condolences to families who have lost loved ones and extend our support to all those still recovering,” he said.
He added that the waiver applies to all patients at KNH whose injuries were directly linked to the protests, calling it part of a broader humanitarian response by the Ministry of Health.

Kariuki’s family, who had been struggling to raise funds for his hospital bills, welcomed the news. His father, Jonah Kariuki, had earlier spoken out about their financial hardship and the emotional toll the incident had taken on them. He also revealed they had been conned out of Sh200,000 by someone who falsely promised to help with hospital logistics.

The Ministry of Health emphasized that the move aims to ease the financial burden on affected families and reinforce the government’s commitment to protecting human dignity during moments of national crisis.

As Kenya continues to reckon with the consequences of the recent protests, the government’s action to waive medical bills stands as a gesture of compassion though many continue to call for justice and accountability for the violence that took place.