Court Denies Bail to Officer Charged With Murder of Mask Hawker During Protests
News Updated: 09 February 2026 19:11 EAT
Scenes when the mask vendor was fatally shot by police during protests along Moi avenue
A High Court has denied bail to police officer Klinzy Baraza, who is charged with the murder of mask hawker Boniface Kariuki during last year’s anti-government protests, citing the risk of interference with witnesses.
In its ruling, the court agreed with the prosecution that releasing the accused at this stage could compromise the integrity of the case. The judge noted that Baraza’s position as a serving police officer, coupled with his access to law enforcement networks, posed a real risk to the safety of witnesses and the victim’s family.
Baraza has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He is accused of fatally shooting Kariuki during demonstrations in Nairobi’s central business district, an incident that was widely captured on video and sparked national outrage over police conduct during protests.
The prosecution argued that several key witnesses had expressed fear and concern for their safety should the accused be released on bail. The court found these concerns credible and sufficient to outweigh the constitutional right to bail at this stage of the proceedings.
Kariuki, who was selling face masks at the time of the incident, was shot and later succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to hospital. His death became a focal point in the broader debate on police accountability and the use of force during public demonstrations.
The court directed that Baraza remain in custody as the case proceeds, with the matter set for further hearing. The ruling is expected to intensify public scrutiny of how protest-related cases involving security officers are handled by the justice system.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD