NAIROBI, Kenya — Two police officers accused of shooting masks vendor Boniface Mwangi Kariuki during anti-government protests in Nairobi have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts as investigations into the incident intensify.
The officers, identified as Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, appeared before Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi under a miscellaneous application filed by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The oversight body sought to detain the officers for 21 days to allow for the completion of forensic investigations. The court subsequently granted IPOA a 15-day detention period, allowing the authority to conduct and conclude its investigations into the matter.
Masinde and Kiprono, who have since been interdicted by the National Police Service, are suspected of opening fire on Kariuki along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on June 17.
The incident occurred amidst the recent Gen Z-led protests that have garnered significant national and international attention.
According to court filings, Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by bystanders and underwent emergency surgery. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in critical condition.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the two officers at Nairobi Area Police Headquarters following widespread public outcry and mounting demands for police accountability.
Also Read: Nairobi police vow tight security ahead of June 25 Gen Z protest anniversary
In court, IPOA outlined the comprehensive scope of its ongoing investigation. This includes critical steps such as ballistic testing on firearms recovered from the suspects, analysis of forensic samples from the scene, review of CCTV footage, and interviews with key witnesses.
The authority also plans to interview the victim once he is medically stable and is awaiting a full medical report.
IPOA compellingly argued that releasing the suspects at this stage could severely compromise the investigation, citing significant concerns over potential witness interference and evidence tampering.
“This matter has attracted intense public interest,” IPOA told the court. “It is in the interest of justice that the suspects remain in custody until investigations are concluded.”
