Brain death is legally and medically recognized as death in Kenya and many countries around the world. It occurs when a person’s brain completely and irreversibly stops functioning, even if other organs like the heart may still be working with the help of machines.
This condition is different from a coma or vegetative state. In brain death, there is no brain activity at all, including in the brainstem the part responsible for basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat regulation. Doctors perform a series of strict clinical tests to confirm brain death, including checking for the absence of brainstem reflexes and the ability to breathe without support.
The case of 22-year-old hawker Boniface Kariuki has brought renewed attention to this topic. Kariuki was shot in the head by police on June 17 during protests following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang. His family confirmed on Sunday that he has been declared brain dead.
While machines may keep his body functioning temporarily, Kariuki is medically considered deceased. This tragic case highlights the seriousness of brain injuries and the importance of understanding what brain death truly means not just a loss of consciousness, but the irreversible end of life itself.
