Father of Protest Victim Scammed of Ksh 200,000 by Fake SHA Officials Nairobi, 21 June 2025 – As 22-year-old Boniface Kariuki, shot by police during last week’s CBD protests, fights for his life at Kenyatta National Hospital, his family has suffered yet another blow. His father, Jonah Kariuki, was defrauded of Ksh 200,000 by impostors impersonating officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA) . Posing as legitimate SHA representatives, the fraudsters contacted Mr Kariuki offering to register him for health benefits to offset his son’s mounting medical bills. They persuaded him to pay Ksh 20,500, but in the process of transferring funds—under the scammers’ influence—he mistakenly sent Ksh 200,500 . Alarmingly, the scammers were able to delete confirmation messages via remote access, rendering all attempts to recover the funds futile . The timing of the scam has only deepened the family’s distress. Boniface, employed as a face mask vendor, was critically injured on 17 June 2025, when a police bullet struck him amid protests organised to honour Albert Ojwang, who died in custody. He arrived unconscious at the hospital around 15:16 and has undergone two surgeries to remove bullet fragments from his skull . The family’s spokesperson, Emily Wanjiru, confirmed that the Kariukis plan to hold a press briefing at KNH to update the public on Boniface’s condition and alert Kenyans about these predatory schemes . In response, the SHA has formally warned the public that registration is free and urged Kenya’s citizens to avoid third-party solicitations. The only legitimate registration methods are using the official USSD code, the SHA’s portal, or through an employer. Under no circumstances should anyone share their MPESA PIN or respond to unsolicited offers to settle medical fees . An SHA official (who spoke on condition of anonymity) condemned the exploitation: “These criminals prey on people’s pain.” Victims are encouraged to report fake callers to both the police and SHA immediately .