NAIROBI, Kenya – A lawyer representing two Nairobi police officers accused of assault and attempted shooting has officially withdrawn from the case, citing a torrent of threats allegedly linked to the youth-led “Gen Z” movement.
Felix Keaton, who was defending officers Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, confirmed on Wednesday that he had stepped aside due to serious concerns for his personal safety and that of his family.
“In the interest of my personal safety and that of my family, I have taken the painful but necessary decision to cease all legal representation in this matter,” Keaton said in a statement.
The two officers are at the center of public outrage after a viral video surfaced showing a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, allegedly being assaulted by the officers in broad daylight.
The incident has sparked renewed anger across the country, particularly among young Kenyans who have been vocal in demanding police reforms and justice for victims of brutality.
Keaton said he had received over 1,000 threats via calls and messages, warning him to abandon the case.
He claimed the threats had extended to his family members, who were also targeted with disturbing communications.
The case against Barasa and Kiprono is scheduled to proceed in court later today.
Their prosecution comes amid a national reckoning over police conduct, fueled by digitally mobilized youth under the “Gen Z” banner, who have taken to social media to demand transparency, accountability, and a complete overhaul of policing culture.
This latest development adds to growing pressure on state authorities to act decisively on police violence.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is currently investigating multiple high-profile incidents, including the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in custody — a case that has prompted the summoning of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat and a separate court challenge from an OCS seeking to block prosecution.
The Gen Z-led movement, which continues to organize protests online and in the streets, has called for structural changes, including giving IPOA powers to arrest officers accused of abuse.
