ormer police spokesman Charles Owino has alleged that Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the street vendor who was shot in the head at close range, insulted a police officer shortly before the fatal incident.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Owino condemned the shooting of the young vendor and emphasized the need for police to exercise restraint, even when provoked. He noted that while there are circumstances under which police officers may use firearms, they must always act with caution and sound judgment.
“It was a very simple exchange. If you listen to that clip closely, you will hear that boy abusing the policeman. But as an officer, you must have restraint—and shoot him with a rubber bullet, not a live one. You can see what this has done to the image of the police so far,” Owino stated.
He also pointed out that the officer who fired the fatal shot, Klinzy Baraza Masinde, is a young recruit who had served for less than two years.
“Such a young boy—if you abuse him, you know what may happen,” Owino added. He further stated that when police officers are deployed to a riot, not all of them are handed firearms. However, due to the nature of the protests, the police may not be well-organized, which can lead to mistakes in preparation.
Boniface Mwangi was shot on June 17 along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District. He has since been declared brain dead. According to the family spokesperson, Emily Wanjira, doctors informed them that Boniface’s brainstem was no longer functioning, although his heart and other organs remain active. She also revealed that the hospital bill had surpassed Sh 3 million and appealed to well-wishers for financial support.
The two police officers involved in the incident, Klinzy Baraza Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, have been interdicted and are currently in custody to allow further investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
– By Anthony Mwangi
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