NAIROBI — A lawyer defending two Nairobi police officers accused of assaulting a street vendor has withdrawn from the case, saying he feared for his life following threats allegedly made by online activists linked to Kenya’s outspoken Gen Z movement.
Felix Keaton, a criminal defence lawyer, was representing officers Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono. The two were caught on video allegedly assaulting Boniface Kariuki, a hawker on Moi Avenue, during anti-riot operations on Monday. The video, shared widely on social media, shows an officer appearing to open fire. The footage has fuelled public anger and intensified calls for police reform.
Keaton confirmed on Wednesday that he was stepping down. “I have received over 1,000 threatening calls and messages from anonymous individuals, demanding that I abandon this case,” he told reporters. “In the interest of my safety and that of my family, I’ve made the painful decision to withdraw.”
He added that the threats had reached his loved ones, some of whom were sent alarming messages. “No case is worth the lives of my children,” he said.
The case, set to be heard in court later today, has become a lightning rod in a broader struggle over police violence in Kenya. The officers face charges of assault and attempted murder.
Street protests erupted in parts of Nairobi after the incident. Much of the outcry has been driven by young Kenyans online, many operating under the #GenZKe banner a growing movement that has been pushing for transparency, justice, and accountability in governance and policing.
“This isn’t just about one hawker or two officers,” said human rights activist Njoki Mwangi. “It’s about a system that has enabled violence and impunity for years. What Gen Z is doing is long overdue.”
Some legal experts, however, raised concerns about the threats to Keaton. “Everyone has a right to legal representation, even the accused,” said constitutional lawyer Harun Ndubi. “When lawyers are intimidated, it undermines the entire justice system.”
Police have yet to issue a formal statement about the threats against Keaton.
Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is continuing its investigation. The watchdog has also summoned Deputy Inspector General Douglas Kanja Lagat in connection with another controversial case involving the death of blogger Albert Ojwang.
As for Keaton, he says he’s stepping away from the public eye for now. “I hope the truth will come out in court,” he said. “But someone else will have to argue it.”
