DPP recommends murder charge against police officer Klinzy Barasa who shot mask vendor Boniface Kariuki
The court has, however, released his co-accused, Duncan Kiprono, from police custody due to a lack of evidence.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has recommended murder charges against a police officer who fatally shot Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor, during protests in Nairobi on June 17, 2025.
Klinzy Barasa has been remanded in custody pending his arraignment in court for murder.
More To Read
- Boniface Kariuki’s final call: A mother’s warning, a son’s promise, a nation’s shame
- June 25 protests death toll rises as autopsy shows two youths died from gunshot wounds
- Court grants IPOA 7 more days to hold officers accused of killing Nairobi masks hawker Boniface Kariuki
- Autopsy reveals Kariuki died from severe head injury caused by four bullet fragments
- Burial of slain hawker set for July 11 as calls for justice mount
- National Integrity Alliance demands CS Murkomen, IG Kanja’s resignation over police brutality and rights abuses
Barasa is accused of shooting Kariuki in the head during the protests, leading to his hospitalisation at Kenyatta National Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries on June 30.
The DPP in court stated that the information has been filed at the Milimani Law Courts and will be mentioned before the presiding judge for further directions.
"The first respondent will be remanded awaiting his arraignment before the High Court on the murder charges that have been preferred by the DPP," stated Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi.
The court has, however, released his co-accused, Duncan Kiprono, from police custody due to a lack of evidence.
"Following information by the DPP, the second respondent herein will be at liberty unless otherwise," stated Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi in his ruling.
The miscellaneous application has since been closed at the Magistrates Court.
The High Court also ordered a mental health assessment of Barasa before he can be formally charged with murder.
Justice George Kimondo directed that Barasa should undergo the test before his plea-taking on July 28.
The Prosecution told the court that the evaluation is necessary to confirm whether Barassa is mentally competent to stand trial.
He further ordered that the officer be moved from the Capitol Hill Police Station to Nairobi Remand Prison pending the outcome of the assessment.
On July 3, a Nairobi court granted the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) an additional seven days to detain the two police officers as investigations continued.
The prosecution told Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi that the initial 21-day detention period for officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono was set to lapse, and investigations had not been completed.
Top Stories Today
