Kenyan rapper and activist Henry Ohanga, famously known as Octopizzo, has added his voice to the growing demands for explanation following the head shooting of 22-year-old street vendor Boniface Kariuki by police officers in the protests last week in Nairobi.
The demonstrations, part of the #JusticeForOjwang movement, erupted after the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, a case that has reignited nationwide anger over state violence and abuse of power.
Kariuki, who was selling face masks on Moi Avenue when the melee broke out, was a collateral victim. He was first rushed to a nearby clinic, then transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). His status is still not clear, a silence Octopizzo cannot abide.
"What is the status of Boniface Kariuki? We cannot stay silent. We must demand answers now.Justice must be served, not just for his family, but for every young Kenyan who dares to speak truth to power,” Octopizzo posted on X on Wednesday.Just last month, on May 30, Octopizzo dropped June 25, a raw, politically charged track that revisits the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests and the violent crackdown that followed.
Now he’s lending his platform once again, not just to rally support, but to demand clarity. Why was Kariuki shot? Who will be held responsible? Why the silence?
According to KNH CEO William Sigilai, 16 people were admitted to the hospital following the protests. While nine have been discharged and two have undergone surgery, Kariuki’s status remains uncertain, a detail not lost on those closely following his case.
For Octopizzo and many others, this isn’t just about one young man. It’s about a system. And the fight for justice is far from over.
