Boniface Kariuki: Irony as Police Accused of Shooting Mask Vendor Wears Mask to Court
- The murder case of Boniface Kariuki continued in court as his family demanded justice and expressed frustration over the courtroom developments
- In the shared video, the family claimed the reasons why Kariuki was not to plead guilty, while also demanding he be remanded immediately
- The ODPP opposed the bond application, outlining reasons why the accused officer should not be released back into society as the case proceeds
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Tensions ran high at the Milimani Law Courts as the murder case of Boniface Kariuki, a Nairobi-based mask vendor, resumed on Monday, June 28.
Source: TikTok
The suspect, police officer Klinzy Barasa Masinde, pleaded not guilty to murder charges, sparking anger and emotional protests from the victim’s family.
Masinde is accused of fatally shooting Kariuki on June 17, 2025, during an altercation outside Imenti House along Moi Avenue in Nairobi.
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Why did Boniface Kariuki's family protest?
He appeared in court wearing a face mask—a detail that further agitated the grieving family, who pointed out the irony, as their son was known for selling masks on the streets.
Family members, distraught by the court proceedings, expressed fury in the corridors, protesting the defence’s request for bail and opposing the not-guilty plea.
They questioned why Masinde had been allowed to wear a mask in court and demanded that he be remanded without bond.
“He’s wearing a mask, the very thing Kariuki was selling when he was killed. This is a mockery,” one family member said emotionally, further describing the accused as 'a devil in human form' and calling for his immediate remand at Kamiti Maximum Prison.
They argued that repeated court appearances were retraumatising and prolonging their suffering.
"The other one was released, and we didn’t speak up because they said there was no assault. But who can’t see in that video the person slapping Kariuki? It happened. When they said there was no evidence, we kept quiet because our focus was on the murder charges. Now Masinde is standing there saying, ‘not guilty’. We don’t want to see him every day because it just gives us stress.
He wasn't even been told to remove the mask. We’re not even sure we’re dealing with the same person. The judge was biased; we don’t want any more stories. That person should rot in jail. Every Kenyan saw the video," the relatives added.
Source: Original
Did ODPP oppose Masinde's bond application?
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through the lead prosecutor, strongly opposed the bail application, citing the accused’s position as a serving police officer with access to firearms and communication tools that could be used to intimidate or trace witnesses.
The prosecution warned that releasing Masinde could endanger public peace and pose a flight risk.
They also emphasised that his continued presence in the community could interfere with key witnesses, some of whom are believed to be fellow officers.
Justice Kanyi Kimondo presided over the hearing and is expected to rule on the bond application on August 19.
How did Boniface Kariuki die?
An autopsy confirmed that the ex-hawker died from severe brain injuries sustained after being shot at close range by an anti-riot police officer.
Medical findings revealed that four bullet fragments were lodged in his brain, with only two successfully removed during separate life-saving surgeries conducted while he was still alive.
The remaining fragments were described as rubbery and black, with extensive damage noted in the brain tissue.
Although the cause of death was linked to the shooting, the exact time of death remained uncertain.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
