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Officers linked with shooting mask hawker detained for 7 more days

Officers linked with shooting mask hawker detained for 7 more days
Constables Klinzy Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono when they appeared at the Milimani Law Courts before Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi on Thursday, July 3, 2025. PHOTO/Zipporah Ngwatu

Police Constables Klinzy Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, linked with the killing of a mask hawker, Boniface Kariuki, during the June 17, 2025, protests, have been detained for seven more days.

Milimani Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi granted the extension following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who told the court that the ongoing investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) are still not complete.

The DPP, through State Counsel Victor Owiti, told the court that they wanted to detain the two for 14 more days, but after engaging the defense lawyers, they agreed and settled for seven more days.

“We have had discussions with the defense lawyers, and we are agreeable to having the two officers be held for seven more days instead of the 14 days requested earlier,” State Counsel Owiti told the court.

They stated that they need more time to finalize postmortem reports, ballistic testing, surveillance review, and key witness interviews.

Notably, Counsel Owiti informed the court that they have dropped a request IPOA had sought to extract DNA samples from the suspects to assist in forensic analysis.

“We have withdrawn the prayer to compel the officers to give DNA samples,” Counsel Owiti told the court.

Investigation

In his ruling, Magistrate Ekhubi directed the two to remain at the Capitol Hill Police Station until July 10, 2025, as investigations into the killing of Boniface Kariuki Mwangi continue.

“I hereby order the respondents, Constables Masinde and Kiprono, to be detained further at Capitol Hill Police Station pending investigations,” Magistrate Ekhubi ruled.

The Assistant Director of Investigations of IPOA, Sarah Mwea, swore an affidavit supporting the application to extend detention.

According to the affidavit, the deceased was shot on June 17, 2025, and succumbed to injuries on June 30, 2025, while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital.

IPOA has taken over investigations from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after the death that resulted from the police action.

She told the court that they are yet to visit the crime scene, submit firearms and exhibits for ballistic testing, collect hospital records, and authenticate video footage via the Communications Authority.

IPOA argued that if released, the officers could lead to interference with witnesses or tampering with evidence, as both are active-duty officers stationed in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, the presiding magistrate acknowledged the presence of the deceased’s family in court and offered his condolences.

“On behalf of the Judiciary, I send condolences to the family and relatives of Kariuki, poleni sana. May God give you peace following the demise of your loved one,” Magistrate Ekhubi stated.

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Zipporah Ngwatu

Z.N.

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