DPP Approves Murder Charges Against Constable Klinzy Barasa Over Killing of Boniface Kariuki.

Hawker Boniface Kariuki is accosted by anti-riot police in Nairobi's city centre on June 17, 2025.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved murder charges against police constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde, in connection with the fatal shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki during anti-brutality protests in Nairobi last month.

Kariuki, a 29-year-old father and face mask vendor, was shot on June 17, 2025, along Moi Avenue during a demonstration calling for an end to extrajudicial killings by police. Graphic CCTV footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Barasa and another officer, Duncan Kiprono, accosting the unarmed vendor before Barasa drew his gun and fired at close range.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage, with human rights groups and citizens calling for justice and accountability. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched an immediate investigation, and the evidence including CCTV recordings, medical reports, and witness statements was submitted to the DPP for action.

Medical reports revealed that Kariuki suffered severe head trauma, with four bullet fragments lodged in his brain. Though doctors managed to remove two fragments, they confirmed that the damage was already extensive. Kariuki remained in a critical condition for days before succumbing to his injuries, further fueling public anger.

In a decisive move, the DPP announced that sufficient grounds had been established to prosecute Constable Barasa for murder. He is expected to be arraigned before High Court Judge Kimondo on Friday, July 11, 2025.

However, the DPP declined to pursue similar charges against Officer Kiprono, citing insufficient evidence linking him to the fatal shooting. This has drawn mixed reactions, with some activists demanding that all officers present during such incidents face accountability.

The killing of Kariuki has once again brought to the fore long-standing concerns over police violence in Kenya. Civil society organizations have pointed to a pattern of excessive force and a lack of justice in cases involving state officers. They have vowed to monitor the case closely and continue advocating for systemic reforms within the police service.

As the country watches the unfolding legal proceedings, many are hoping that Kariuki's death will not be just another statistic, but a turning point in the fight for justice and police accountability.

Reporting by: Kelvin Ng’ang’a
Nairobi, Kenya – July 10, 2025