Musician Masterpiece has come out strongly to distance himself from Klinzy Barasa, a police officer who has come under fire after allegedly shooting Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor, during recent protests in Nairobi. The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to the resurfacing of an old photo showing Masterpiece and Barasa together.
In response to the circulating photo, Masterpiece offered a clarification, stating that the image was taken back in 2020 during a routine traffic stop along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway. He emphasized that the encounter was brief and circumstantial, expressing deep regret over having been associated, even momentarily, with someone now accused of serious misconduct.
Masterpiece did not hold back in condemning the officer’s alleged actions. In a public statement, he reminded Barasa of the solemn commitment made upon joining the police force—to serve and protect the citizens of Kenya. According to him, anyone who pledges public service must be prepared to face scrutiny and accountability at all times, especially when they violate the rights and safety of the public.
“If you cannot withstand the weight of public oversight, then you should step aside and allow those with integrity and a sense of justice to serve,” he said.
He went further, quoting Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest. The singer expressed shame over appearing in the same photo as the officer and said he was “disgusted” by the connection. He described Barasa’s actions as a betrayal—not only of the oath taken by every police officer—but also of the Kenyan people.
Masterpiece urged Kenyan youth to remain united and not allow such betrayals to go unnoticed. He encouraged them to take action by registering to vote, pointing out that the only true path to change lies through the ballot. In his view, change will not come through tribal loyalty or emotional allegiance to individuals, but through deliberate, civic-minded participation in democracy.
“History will remember our choices. Are we the change this country needs, or are we betraying our own future?” he posed. He concluded with a rallying call for a new dawn in Kenya—one marked by accountability, justice, and leadership rooted in the people’s will.
Meanwhile, public scrutiny has extended to Klinzy Barasa’s online presence. Following identification through protest footage, Kenyans combed through his social media accounts and unearthed posts where he appeared in police uniform. In some of the images, details such as police vehicle markings were deliberately blurred, suggesting an attempt to conceal operational specifics. His TikTok account, which previously featured relationship skits and lighthearted content, has since been deactivated amid the backlash.
As demands for justice grow louder, the case has become a rallying point for citizens calling for police reform and transparency. Many are urging that officers be held accountable for abuses, and that institutions tasked with protecting the public serve the people rather than intimidate them.
