Why is Officer Klinzy Barasa Facing a Murder Charge?
Police constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde is now officially facing murder charges after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved legal action over the killing of hawker Boniface Kariuki. The shooting happened on June 17 in Nairobi during protests against extrajudicial killings. Barasa, alongside fellow constable Duncan Kiprono, was filmed dragging and assaulting the unarmed vendor along Moi Avenue before one of them shot him at close range. The harrowing video went viral, triggering widespread outrage and renewed protests across the country.
On Wednesday, the DPP announced that Barasa would appear before High Court Judge Justice Kimondo on Friday to answer to the murder charge. While both officers were interdicted from duty following the incident, only Barasa will face prosecution. Kiprono has been cleared after the DPP confirmed that no charges would be brought against him.
What Happened to Boniface Kariuki After the Shooting?
Kariuki, a mask vendor, was left critically injured after the shooting. He was rushed to the hospital with four bullet fragments lodged in his brain. Before his death, doctors had managed to remove two of them. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated, and although he remained alive for days, pathologists believe his brain may have stopped functioning before his death was formally announced more than a week later.
What Was the Public’s Reaction to Kariuki’s Killing?
The killing intensified public anger toward police brutality in Kenya. Candlelight vigils, street protests, and mounting calls for justice became common scenes in the days that followed. Kariuki’s death served as a chilling symbol of state violence, reigniting nationwide demands for police accountability.
The decision to prosecute Barasa marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice, as activists and ordinary citizens continue to push for an end to unlawful killings by law enforcement.
By Lucky Anyanje