Two police officers accused of shooting a protester during anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi’s Central Business District have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts as pressure mounts for police accountability.
The officers, identified as Klinzy Baraza Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, were brought before Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi under a miscellaneous application filed by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
IPOA sought to detain the officers for 21 days to allow for the completion of ongoing forensic and ballistic investigations.
The court, however, ordered that Masinde and Kiprono be held for 15 days, citing the seriousness of the incident and the need to prevent potential interference with the investigation.
The two officers, who have since been interdicted, are suspected of opening fire on Boniface Mwangi Kariuki along Mondlane Street on June 17, during a wave of Gen Z-led demonstrations demanding political reforms and economic justice.
The protests have gained widespread national and international attention, with reports of excessive force used by law enforcement.
According to court documents, Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by bystanders after sustaining gunshot wounds and underwent emergency surgery.
He is currently admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and remains in critical condition.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the two officers at Nairobi Area Police Headquarters following public outrage and growing calls from civil society, rights groups, and citizens for justice and police reform.
In court, IPOA laid out the scope of its investigation, which includes: Ballistic analysis of firearms recovered from the suspects, Forensic testing of evidence collected from the scene, Review of CCTV footage from nearby buildings, Witness interviews, including statements from bystanders and police present during the incident, A medical report from Kenyatta National Hospital, once complete.
IPOA told the court that premature release of the suspects could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation due to the risk of witness intimidation or tampering with evidence.
“This matter has attracted intense public interest,” IPOA said in its submission.
“It is in the interest of justice that the suspects remain in custody until investigations are concluded.”
The shooting incident is part of a growing list of reported human rights violations during recent protests, including cases of police brutality, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful use of force.
Human rights organizations, including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), have condemned the excessive use of force and called for urgent institutional reforms within the National Police Service.
Masinde and Kiprono will remain in custody as IPOA finalizes its investigation.
The court is expected to receive a detailed progress report at the end of the 15-day detention period, after which a decision on formal charges may be made.
Meanwhile, Kenyans continue to demand transparency, justice, and accountability in cases involving police violence, with #JusticeForBoniface trending across social media platforms.
