Eighteen Years of Pain: Kayole Man Left Paralysed with Bullet Lodged in His Head Since 2007 Post-Election Violence Pleads for Government Justice

Maina Kariuki, shot by police in the 2007 post-election violence, remains paralysed with a bullet in his head 18 years later, seeking justice and compensation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 5:57 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from TUKO.co.ke

The Fateful Day in 2007

Maina Kariuki was just 20 years old when his life was irrevocably altered during the chaos that followed the 2007 General Election. On his way home from working in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, Kariuki found himself caught in the crossfire of the civil unrest. While attempting to flee the violence, he was struck in the head by a bullet. Kariuki alleges the shot was fired by an officer from the Kayole Police Station. He describes the moment as a sudden transition from running for safety to waking up on the ground, his dreams of a career and a family effectively ended by a single projectile.

A Medical Dilemma: Living with the Bullet

Following the shooting, Kariuki’s family rushed him to the hospital, where medical scans confirmed that a bullet was lodged deep within his skull. After a careful assessment, surgeons made the difficult decision not to attempt an extraction. They determined that the risk of fatal brain damage or severe surgical complications outweighed the benefits of removing the metal. Consequently, the bullet remains in his head 18 years later, serving as a permanent and painful reminder of the trauma he endured.

The Reality of Life with Paralysis

The injury left Kariuki paralysed, stripping him of his independence and his ability to work. Now 38, he lives in a cramped single-room house in Kayole with his mother, Anna Minanyiri. His daily existence is defined by total dependence; he requires assistance for basic needs such as bathing and eating. Kariuki shared the indignity of his situation, noting that he sometimes goes weeks without a bath because he lacks the physical ability to care for himself and his mother is often overwhelmed by the demands of their poverty-stricken lifestyle.