KENYA: Police Officer Faces Murder Charge Over Killing Of Mask Vendor During Protest

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

A police officer in Kenya has been charged with the murder of Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a street vendor who was shot during protests in Nairobi’s central business district on June 17, 2025.

According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, Constable Klinzy Masinde Baraza will stand trial for the fatal shooting that claimed the life of Kariuki, who had been selling face masks near Imenti House when chaos erupted.

Investigations into the incident, which was widely shared on social media, revealed that Baraza was seen opening fire on demonstrators along Mondlane Street.

Footage showed Kariuki collapsing after a bullet struck him. Another officer then hit him with the butt of a gun before Baraza allegedly delivered a second, fatal shot to his head at close range.

Kariuki was initially rushed to Bliss Medical Centre for emergency care and was later transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital.

Despite being placed in the Intensive Care Unit, he succumbed to his injuries on the afternoon of June 30, nearly two weeks after the shooting.

The tragedy sparked widespread public outrage, with human rights groups condemning the use of force against unarmed citizens, especially during a protest meant to highlight police misconduct.

Baraza and another officer, Duncan Kiprono, were arrested shortly after the incident and brought before the Milimani Law Courts on June 19.

The court allowed authorities to hold them for 15 days to facilitate investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

However, Kiprono has since been released, with charges dropped against him.

Both officers were attached to Kileleshwa Police Station and had been deployed to the city centre during the demonstrations.

Kariuki’s funeral is scheduled to take place in Kangema, Murang’a County.

A requiem mass in his honour was held at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi yesterday, where friends, family, and activists gathered to mourn and demand justice.