NAIROBI, Kenya — A police officer will now face murder charges over the brutal shooting of 24-year-old mask vendor Boniface Kariuki Mwangi during the June 17 protests in Nairobi’s CBD, an incident that sparked national outrage and reignited calls for police accountability in Kenya.
On Tuesday, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga announced that Police Constable Klinzy Masinde Baraza will be charged with Kariuki’s murder.
The decision follows the completion of investigations and a review of damning evidence, including widely circulated video footage showing the fatal encounter.
Kariuki was unarmed and, according to witnesses, simply out to sell face masks on Mondlane Street near Imenti House when he was shot at point-blank range.
Footage of the incident showed a police officer, believed to be Baraza, aggressively charging a group of demonstrators before firing a shot that sent Kariuki to the ground.
Another officer, now identified as Duncan Kiprono, was seen striking Kariuki with the butt of his gun. Moments later, Baraza allegedly took aim and fired a second shot—this time, straight to Kariuki’s head.
The disturbing images triggered shockwaves online and across the country.
After the shooting, panicked protesters rushed to Kariuki’s side. He was initially taken to Bliss Medical Centre for first aid, then transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where he remained in the ICU for nearly two weeks.
Despite emergency surgery and extensive efforts to save his life, Kariuki succumbed to his injuries on June 30 at 3:15 p.m.
At the time of the incident, both officers were attached to Kileleshwa Police Station, and had been deployed to reinforce the Nairobi CBD patrol during the anti-police brutality protests.
While Baraza now faces a murder charge, Kiprono has been cleared and released from custody.
The two had earlier been arraigned in court on June 19, where prosecutors requested more time for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to complete investigations. The court granted a 15-day window.
Kariuki’s death came during protests originally intended to seek justice for yet another police brutality victim—blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died under suspicious circumstances in custody.
The fact that Kariuki was not even participating in the demonstrations, but merely trying to earn a living, added a painful layer to the tragedy—and to public anger.
Human rights defenders decried the incident as another example of unchecked police aggression and the growing toll on young Kenyans.
Kariuki will be laid to rest in Kangema, Murang’a County this week. A requiem mass was held on Wednesday at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi, drawing a large turnout of mourners, activists, and supporters.
In a surprising twist, a vigil held at Nairobi CBD in honour of the mask vendor was disrupted by police using teargas against mourners.
As Kenya prepares to bury yet another victim of police violence, many are watching to see whether the justice system will finally break the cycle of impunity.
