A Nairobi police officer is set to face a murder charge over the fatal shooting of a street vendor, in a case that has sparked renewed calls against extra-judicial killings.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has sanctioned the charge against 32-year-old Constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde, who is accused of shooting Boniface Kariuki, a mask seller, on June 17, 2025, outside Imenti House in Nairobi’s central business district. Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he battled for nearly two weeks before passing away on June 30 a day after he was declared brain dead.
Masinde appeared before Justice Kanyi Kimondo at the Milimani High Court. The judge ordered that he be detained at Nairobi Remand Prison and undergo a mental health assessment prior to plea-taking. He is scheduled to return to court on July 28, when the murder charge will formally be read.
The death of Boniface Kariuki has left a trail of sorrow among friends, family, and fellow traders. At his emotional requiem mass held at the Holy Family Basilica on Wednesday, mourners described him as diligent, respectful, and simply out to earn an honest living.
Speakers at the service demanded accountability, urging the justice system to act decisively to deter future police brutality. The 30-year-old will be laid to rest in his home village of Kangema, Murang’a County.
The case has added to growing public outcry over use of excessive force by law enforcement, with human rights groups calling for systemic reform and better oversight of police conduct.
