Jonah Kariuki, the father of Boniface Kariuki the 22-year-old hawker shot by police during anti-government protests in Nairobi has fallen victim to a scam that cost him Ksh 200,000.
According to family spokesperson Emily Wanjiru, fraudsters posing as officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) contacted Kariuki, claiming they could help settle his son’s hospital bills.
They asked for personal details and a registration fee, convincing him to share his M-Pesa PIN.
Kariuki said the scammers initially asked for Ksh 20,500, but he mistakenly transferred Ksh 200,500. “Yes, it is true. They scammed me. I keyed in the wrong amount during the transaction,” he confirmed.
Efforts to trace the fraudsters have so far failed. They switched off their phone and deleted the transaction message.
Kenyans are being urged to stay vigilant. SHA registration is completely free and can only be done via USSD, online, or through employers.
The family plans to hold a press conference at Kenyatta National Hospital to update the public on Boniface’s condition. He has undergone two surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his head.