A police officer accused of killing a Nairobi street vendor during anti-government protests in June will remain in remand until November 4, following a High Court ruling on Tuesday.
Constable Klinzy Masinde Baraza, attached to Kayole Police Station, is charged with the murder of Boniface Kariuki, a mask hawker shot along Moi Avenue on June 25, 2025. The shooting occurred during protests that had erupted over police brutality and rising economic hardship.
Witnesses said Kariuki was caught in the chaos while going about his daily business. A video that circulated widely online appeared to show an officer firing at close range, sparking national outrage and renewed scrutiny of Kenya’s police conduct.
The Director of Public Prosecutions later approved murder charges against Baraza, who has pleaded not guilty. He is currently being held at the Nairobi Remand Prison.
During the latest court session, Baraza’s lawyers asked that he be released on bail, citing constitutional rights and humanitarian concerns. His defence team told the court he is the sole provider for his wife, two young children and an elderly mother.
“His continued detention is causing severe hardship to his family,” one of his lawyers said, arguing that Baraza was neither a flight risk nor a threat to witnesses.
However, the prosecution and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) opposed the application, saying the gravity of the offence made bail inappropriate at this stage. They also warned that releasing Baraza could interfere with investigations and risk public confidence in the justice system.
High Court Judge Margaret Muigai agreed with the prosecution, ruling that Baraza remain in custody pending further directions. “Given the seriousness of the charge and the level of public interest, the court must allow due process to take its course,” she said.
The case is scheduled for mention on November 4, 2025, when the court will set a date for hearing.
Human rights groups have since called for a swift and transparent trial, saying Kariuki’s death symbolises a deeper problem of police violence in Kenya. The incident has reignited public debate over accountability within the National Police Service, with many Kenyans demanding justice for the slain vendor and his family.
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