Two police officers accused of shooting a protester during recent anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts as investigations into the incident intensify.
The Duo appeared before the Milimani law courts today with their faces covered with masks and hoodies in a miscellaneous application filed against them by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)
The officers, identified as Klinzy Baraza Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi. The oversight body is seeking to hold the officers in custody to complete forensic investigations.
The court ordered that the two officers be detained for 15 days, down from the 21 days initially requested by IPOA, to allow investigators to conclude their inquiries.
Masinde and Kiprono, who have since been interdicted, are accused of shooting Boniface Mwangi Kariuki along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District on June 17, amid Gen Z-led protests that have gained both national and international attention.
According to court documents, Kariuki was critically injured during the incident and was rushed by members of the public to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the two officers at Nairobi Area Police Headquarters following widespread public outrage and calls for greater police accountability.
In court, IPOA outlined the scope of its investigation, which includes ballistic analysis of firearms linked to the suspects, forensic examination of the scene, review of CCTV footage, and interviews with eyewitnesses — including Kariuki, once his condition improves. A comprehensive medical report is also pending.
IPOA argued that releasing the officers could undermine the investigation, citing the potential for interference with witnesses and tampering with evidence.
“This case has drawn significant public attention,” IPOA submitted. “Detaining the officers is essential to ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation.”
By Were Kelly
