A Nairobi court on Thursday, June 19, 2025, ordered the detention of two police officers—Constables Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono—for 15 days.

The officers are linked to the assault and shooting of a mask hawker, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, during protests in the Nairobi Central Business District on Tuesday, June 17.

Milimani Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi directed that the two be held at the Capitol Hill Police Station pending investigations.

The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) was seeking to detain the two for 21 days to enable the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete investigations.

Agreement

However, the DPP, through Principal Prosecution Counsel Victor Owiti, informed the court that they had reached an agreement with the respondents’ lawyers to detain the two for 15 days.

“We will adopt the compromise by the applicant’s team (DPP), and the two respondents (Constable Masinde and Kiprono) will be remanded at Capitol Hill,” Magistrate Ekhubi ruled.

According to the investigative officer attached to DCI Nahashon Zoka, they intend to investigate the two for grievous harm contrary to section 234 of the Penal Code Cap 63 Laws of Kenya.

The state argues that there is a likelihood of the two interfering with witnesses and crucial evidence that would be used in this matter if released before covering all the areas.

“There is a real likelihood of interference with witnesses and with the impending investigations should the respondents (Constable Masinde and Kiprono) be released before the IPOA initiates investigations and/or before the completion of the investigations on the basis of the incident,” part of the miscellaneous application read.

The DPP also stated that they need time to forward the firearms that were confiscated from the officers and suspected of having been used in shooting the victim for ballistic examination.

Further, they have said that they will also be forwarding samples collected at the scene to the government chemist for analysis and also retrieving CCTV footage at the scene for forensic analysis.

The DPP also states that during their detention, they will be recording statements from crucial witnesses, including the victim, who is still admitted to the ICU in critical condition and unable to speak.

Additionally, they state that they will also be filling out a medical report (P3) form in respect of the victim.

The matter will be mentioned on July 3, 2025, for further directions.