Two police officers, Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts in connection with the shooting of street vendor Boniface Mwangi Kariuki during anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi. The incident, which occurred on June 17 along Moi Avenue, has sparked national outrage and reignited calls for police accountability in Kenya.
The officers arrived at court on Thursday, their faces obscured by masks, and were dressed in black trousers and heavy coats. They were transported in a Toyota Premio and held in the court cells prior to their appearance before the magistrate.
Kariuki, a hawker, was allegedly shot in the head at close range by one of the officers during demonstrations triggered by the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang, who reportedly died while in police custody. Eyewitnesses say the shooting occurred in broad daylight amid a peaceful protest calling for justice and police reform.
The injured vendor was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under critical care. His condition has drawn sympathy and concern from both the public and leaders across the political divide.
Following the incident, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered the immediate arrest of the two officers, promising a thorough investigation into the matter. “We must ensure accountability. Any officer who violates the rights of Kenyans must face the full force of the law,” Kanja said in a brief statement.
Civil rights organizations, including the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) and Amnesty International Kenya, have condemned the shooting and called for swift justice. “This is yet another grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked police power,” said IMLU Executive Director Peter Kiama.
Political leaders, especially from the opposition, have demanded police reforms and transparency in the ongoing investigations. Many Kenyans have taken to social media, sharing the hashtag #JusticeForBoniface to demand justice for the wounded hawker and accountability for police brutality.
The court is expected to rule on the prosecution’s request to detain the officers further as investigations continue. The case has once again cast a spotlight on the urgent need for police oversight and reform in Kenya.
