Court detains police officers for 15 days over hawker shooting

The two police officers Duncan Kiprono and Klinzy Baraza in the dock at Milimani Law Courts on June 19, 2025 during the miscellaneous application. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Two police constables, Klinzy Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono, accused of assaulting and shooting a hawker during Tuesday’s anti-government protests, will remain in custody for 15 days.

This follows an order issued by Milimani Senior Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, who directed that the interdicted officers remain in custody as investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continue into allegations of causing grievous harm to hawker Boniface Mwangi Kariuki.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), through prosecutor Victor Owiti, had initially sought 21 days of detention. However, the prosecution and defence teams eventually agreed to a compromise of 15 days.

“We will adopt the compromise by the applicants’ team, and the two respondents, Constables Masinde and Kiprono, will be remanded at Capitol Hill Police Station until July3 2025,” the magistrate ruled.

The two officers are accused of assaulting and shooting Kariuki along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District during the protests.

According to an affidavit filed by Corporal Nahashon Zoka, an officer attached to the DCI Homicide Bureau, the victim sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by good Samaritans.

He later underwent surgery and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

The detention application was based on the need to complete several pending investigative steps, including ballistic analysis of the firearms confiscated from the officers.

“Upon their said arrest, we confiscated the respondents’ firearms suspected to have been used in shooting the victim to be subjected to ballistic examination,” the court heard.

The court was also informed that forensic analysis of samples collected from the scene is underway and that the samples must be forwarded to the Government Chemist.

Additionally, police are yet to retrieve and review CCTV footage from the area where the hawker was shot.

“There is also the need to conduct witness interviews, including with the victim, who is still admitted in the ICU in critical condition and is unable to speak,” said Owiti.

The prosecution further noted the need to obtain a P3 medical form and compile a full Scene of Crime report.

Corporal Zoka underscored the seriousness of the allegations and the potential risks if the officers were released on bail. 

“There is a real likelihood the respondents may intimidate or interfere with witnesses and crucial evidence. Due to the serious nature of the offence, they are also considered a flight risk,” he said.

He added that the incident had triggered widespread public outrage and unrest, further complicating the situation and raising concerns for the officers’ safety if released.

The court was told that the two officers were arrested on June 18, 2025 and booked at Capitol Hill Police Station under OB 2/18/06/2025 at 0015 hours.

Second surgery

Meanwhile, doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital were last evening still working round the clock to save the life of Kariuki.

Kariuki, 22, underwent a second surgery yesterday afternoon. The first surgery done on Tuesday night lasted two hours, during which doctors successfully removed a bullet that had struck one side of his head.

According to an update from the family, Kariuki was wheeled into theatre around 2pm for the follow-up operation. “He is not in critical condition. The doctors said the bullet pierced through his brain, and it has been swelling over time. That’s why he was taken in for a second operation,” said one of his colleagues.

“The operation was successful, and some particles were removed from around the brain—I think remnants of the bullet.”

The colleague added that they remained optimistic Kariuki would pull through, noting that his heart was still beating normally, though he remained dependent on a ventilator.

On Wednesday, Acting Kenyatta National Hospital CEO William Sigilai said the patient was on mechanical ventilation as medics maintained close observation after the bullet struck the left side of his head.

Kariuki was shot during protests demanding the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat over the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’.

By yesterday evening, several politicians—including Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina—were calling for the State to offer financial support to Kariuki and others injured during Tuesday’s protests.

“Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done in regard to Albert Ojwang’, Boniface Kariuki and all the young people who lost their lives during and in the aftermath of the June 2024 protests,” she posted.

“If this government protects the perpetrators, future governments shall deal with them accordingly.”