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Police officer charged with killing hawker Boniface Kariuki during Gen Z protests
Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono in Milimani Law Courts.
A police officer who was captured on camera shooting mask vendor Boniface Kariuki Mwangi has been charged with murder.
Police Constable Klinzy Barasa was arraigned before High Court Judge Margaret Muigai on Thursday to face the murder charge.
Another officer Duncan Kiprono, who was in Barasa’s company during the incident, has been set free.
Kariuki was killed during the commemoration of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests where over 60 demonstrators died.
Mr Kiprono walked to freedom after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) informed the court that there was no sufficient evidence to support a murder charge against him. He left the courtroom accompanied by his lawyers and a few relatives.
Barasa was presented before Justice Muigai, who informed him of the murder charge filed against him.
“This is the first appearance of Barasa. He is not required to plead to the charge at this point. May the court inform him of the charge,” a prosecuting counsel told the judge.
The prosecution further requested the court to defer plea-taking until Barasa undergoes a mental assessment.
Justice Muigai informed Barasa that the DPP had preferred a murder charge against him for the killing of Kariuki along Moi Avenue on June 25, 2025.
The judge deferred the plea for 14 days pending the results of the mental assessment. She directed that Barasa be remanded at Nairobi Remand Prison and ordered that he be taken to Mathare Mental Hospital for evaluation.
