Boniface Kariuki: Two policemen in court over Nairobi CBD shooting
Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono arraigned in Milimani, two days after the gun attack in Nairobi CBD.
What you need to know:
- Two police officers, Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono, have been arrested and are due to appear in court today, charged with assaulting and shooting hawker Boniface Mwangi Kariuki during protests in the Central Business District of Nairobi.
- The protests were sparked by the death of teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody and have led to calls for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who is now under investigation.
UPDATE: BONIFACE KARIUKI shooting: Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono to be detained for 15 days to allow Ipoa probe into incident.
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Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono arraigned in Milimani, two days after the gun attack in Nairobi CBD.
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.
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.
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.
The homicide team also visited the scene of the shooting—Mondlane Street near Imenti House.
Police officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono arraigned in Milimani, two days after the gun attack in Nairobi CBD.
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.
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.
He was quickly carried into a waiting vehicle by colleagues for first aid.
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.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo called the incident “unacceptable.”