Two police officers accused of shooting protester Boniface Mwangi Kariuki during anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi have been arraigned at Milimani Law Courts as investigations into the incident intensify.
The officers, Klinzy Baraza Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, appeared before Principal Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi following a miscellaneous application by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is seeking to keep them in custody to complete ongoing forensic investigations. The court granted a 15-day detention order.
Masinde and Kiprono, who have since been interdicted, allegedly opened fire on Kariuki along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District on June 17 during protests led by the Gen Z movement—events that have attracted national and international attention.
According to court filings, Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by bystanders and underwent emergency surgery. He remains in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the officers at Nairobi Area Police Headquarters following public outcry and growing demands for police accountability.
During the hearing, IPOA outlined the scope of its investigation, which includes ballistic testing of the suspects’ firearms, forensic analysis of the crime scene, review of CCTV footage, and interviews with witnesses—including Kariuki once he is medically stable. The authority is also awaiting a detailed medical report.
IPOA argued that releasing the officers could jeopardize the investigation due to risks of witness interference and evidence tampering.
“This matter has drawn intense public scrutiny,” IPOA told the court. “It is in the interest of justice that the suspects remain in custody until investigations are complete.”
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