Officer Accused Of Shooting Boniface Kariuki To Face Murder Charges Today

Police Constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde is scheduled to appear in court today, Friday, July 11, 2025, to face murder charges in connection with the death of Boniface Kariuki. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) officially approved the charges against Masinde, signaling a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the slain hawker.

Boniface Kariuki, an unarmed 24-year-old mask vendor, was fatally shot during the widespread anti-government protests that gripped Nairobi on June 17, 2025. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely, sparked immense public outrage and intensified calls for an end to police brutality. The footage reportedly showed Masinde and fellow constable Duncan Kiprono manhandling Kariuki along Moi Avenue before he was shot at close range and left for dead.

Both Masinde and Kiprono were interdicted from the police service following the incident. However, the DPP’s decision means that only Masinde will face murder charges, while Duncan Kiprono has been released, with the DPP stating that no charges would be preferred against him. This distinction in the charges for the two officers remains a point of interest and potential discussion.

Kariuki sustained severe injuries from the shooting, with multiple bullet fragments lodged in his brain. Despite emergency surgery at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) where two fragments were removed, he was declared brain-dead. He tragically succumbed to his injuries on Monday, June 30, nearly two weeks after the shooting. Pathologists confirmed that Kariuki died from severe head injuries caused by a single close-range gunshot, and further noted that four bullet fragments remained in his brain.

The charging of a police officer with murder in connection with a protest-related death is a notable development in Kenya, particularly amidst ongoing national conversations about police accountability and the use of force during demonstrations. The case of Boniface Kariuki, along with the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, has fueled the recent wave of youth-led protests demanding justice and reform. The public will be closely watching the proceedings as Masinde appears before High Court Judge Justice Kimondo today.