CONSTABLE BARASA TO FACE MURDER CHARGES IN BONIFACE KARIUKI SHOOTING

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved murder charges against police constable Klinzy Masinde Barasa following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old hawker Boniface Kariuki Mwangi during protests in Nairobi on June 17.
According to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Barasa is accused of shooting Kariuki at close range in the head as police attempted to disperse demonstrators in the central business district. Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital and placed on life support, but succumbed to his injuries on June 30.
The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, sparked national outrage and renewed calls for police accountability. Human rights activists and Kariuki’s family have demanded justice and the prosecution of officers responsible for excessive use of force.
Barasa, along with fellow officer Duncan Kiprono, was arrested and presented in court. The court has since ordered that both officers remain in custody as investigations continue. IPOA has been granted additional time to finalize ballistic reports, postmortem findings, and scene analyses.
“The ODPP’s decision is a significant step toward justice for Boniface and his family,” said a spokesperson from IPOA.
The case is expected to proceed to formal arraignment once all forensic and evidentiary reviews are complete.