UPDATE: BONIFACE KARIUKI shooting: Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono to be detained for 15 days to allow Ipoa probe into incident.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono arraigned in Milimani, two days after the gun attack in Nairobi CBD.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
Two police officers arrested on Tuesday night following the shooting and injuring of hawker Boniface Mwangi Kariuki were arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.
Mr Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono were captured in several videos assaulting Mr Kariuki, who was selling face masks to members of the public during Tuesday’s Nairobi CBD demonstrations.
The protests were sparked by the death of teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody at Central Police Station.
Boniface Kariuki shooting: Policemen Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono at the Milimani Law Courts
Mr Baraza and Mr Kiprono, both attached to Kileleshwa Police Station, had been deployed to manage the demonstrations.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who is the main complainant in the case against the late Ojwang.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat. He stepped aside on June 16, 2025 over the death of teacher Albert Ojwang.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Mr Lagat, who is expected to appear before the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) today, stepped aside earlier this week as investigations into Ojwang’s death continue.
Yesterday, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide unit interrogated the two officers, who are currently being held at Capitol Hill Police Station.
A source familiar with the investigation stated that the officers surrendered the clothes they were wearing on the day Mr Kariuki was shot.
Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono in Milimani Law Courts.
Photo credit: Micah Nyandoro | Nation
However, the deployment of the homicide team did not sit well with the officers' lawyers Felix Keaton, Vincent Yegon and Philip Lagat.
The main responsibility of homicide detectives is to investigate murders. Their duties include collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, analysing crime scenes and working with forensic experts to solve homicide cases.
In this case, Mr Kariuki did not die and is currently fighting for his life at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Face mask vendor Boniface Kariuki is rushed to hospital by protesters after he was shot by a police officer in Nairobi on June 17, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
Speaking on behalf of the defence team, Mr Keaton questioned the DCI's decision to assign the homicide unit to the case, given that the victim is still alive.
“We expected to meet officers from the Serious Crimes Unit. To our surprise, officers from the homicide wing showed up. Kimani is not dead—why is the homicide team leading the investigation?” he asked.
Mr Keaton further claimed it had already been established that Mr Kariuki was shot with a rubber bullet and that the officer who pulled the trigger had not yet been arrested.
Mr Kariuki was shot shortly after protesters began throwing stones at police officers stationed along Moi Avenue. One of the stones struck a police officer on the head.
The shooting of the vendor incensed the crowd, which surged toward the police officers near Nairobi Sports Center. The officers quickly retreated to their land cruisers and left the scene at high speed.
“He was just trying to make a living by selling masks. Police officers surrounded him without asking any questions and began assaulting him. Moments later, one of them shot him at close range in the head,” said Ms Jane Atieno, an eyewitness.
