COURT ORDERS CONTINUED DETENTION OF OFFICERS ACCUSED IN BONIFACE KARIUKI’S KILLING

A Nairobi court has ordered the continued detention of two police constables accused of fatally shooting a street mask vendor during the anti-Finance Bill protests in June.
Milimani Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi ruled on Thursday that Constables Klinzy Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono will remain in custody until July 10, 2025, as investigations into the death of Boniface Kariuki Mwangi continue.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) requested an extension to complete crucial forensic and witness-related procedures. These include postmortem analysis, ballistic reports, video evidence verification, and interviews with key witnesses. IPOA argued that releasing the officers could compromise the ongoing investigations, as both serve within Nairobi County and may interfere with evidence or intimidate witnesses.
The officers are accused of shooting 22-year-old Kariuki in the head during the June 17 protests in Nairobi. He was declared brain-dead on June 29 and passed away the following day at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Initially, IPOA sought to collect DNA samples from the officers but later withdrew that request. The court granted the prosecution seven more days, half of the 14-day period that had been requested.
In a rare gesture, Magistrate Ekhubi offered his condolences to Kariuki's family, acknowledging the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.
The incident has intensified calls for police accountability in Kenya, especially amid widespread demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.