Police constable Klinzy Masinde Baraza will remain in remand until November 4, 2025, following a court ruling, linked to the murder of Boniface Kariuki, a street vendor who was shot during protests in Nairobi.
Baraza, who is attached to the Kayole Police Station, is accused of fatally shooting Kariuki, a mask hawker, during the June 25 demonstrations along Moi Avenue.
The protests, sparked by growing public outrage over police brutality and economic hardship, turned chaotic, and Kariuki was caught in the crossfire while reportedly going about his daily business.
According to reports, the prosecution maintains that Baraza deliberately fired at Kariuki at close range, causing fatal injuries that led to his death at Kenyatta National Hospital days later.
The chilling incident was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, fueling public anger and calls for accountability within the National Police Service.
The Director of Public Prosecutions later approved murder charges against Baraza, and he was arraigned before the High Court in Nairobi where he pleaded not guilty.
During court proceedings, Baraza’s legal team pleaded with the court to release him on bail, citing constitutional grounds and humanitarian concerns.
His lawyers argued that Baraza is the sole breadwinner for his wife, two young children, and an ailing elderly mother.
They told the court that his continued detention was causing unbearable strain on his family, with his wife allegedly threatening to leave due to financial hardships.
They further submitted that Baraza had a permanent address in Nairobi and Bungoma, making him neither a flight risk nor a threat to witnesses. His defence insisted that there were no compelling reasons to deny him bail as outlined under Article 49(1)(h) of the Constitution of Kenya.
However, the prosecution and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) strongly opposed his release, arguing that the nature of the charges, murder, was too serious to warrant bail at this stage.
They warned that releasing Baraza could interfere with ongoing investigations and compromise public confidence in the justice system. The prosecution also noted that the case had attracted immense public attention, and releasing the officer could pose a security risk both to him and to potential witnesses.
High Court Judge Margaret Muigai ruled that Baraza would remain in remand pending further directions and the hearing of his case. She emphasized the need for due process to take its full course, citing the gravity of the allegations and the public interest involved. The judge set November 4, 2025, as the date when the case will be mentioned for further directions.
Baraza is currently being held at the Nairobi Remand Prison as he awaits the next court session. His case has reignited national debate on police accountability in Kenya, with human rights groups urging swift justice for the late Boniface Kariuki and his family.
