NPS reveals names of police behind shooting of face mask seller
Screen grab of a video showing the man shot in the head by police.
The National Police Service has revealed the identities of two anti-riot officers caught on camera assaulting and shooting a man in Nairobi’s Central Business District during Tuesday’s protests.
Police say the incident involves police constables Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, terming their actions as unjustified.
As a result, the officers have been interdicted, a statement signed by police spokesperson Michael Muchiri indicated.
The victim's family has since identified him as Boniface Kariuki.
His father, Jonah Kariuki Nyambura, said that the bullet had gone through his head just above the ear. He also clarified that his son was still alive.
Face mask vendor Boniface Kariuki is rushed to hospital by protesters after he was shot by a police officer in Nairobi on June 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, human rights activists condemned the shooting of Mr Kariuki. Led by Jackson Kuria, alias Cop Shakur, and youth leader Kelvin Ayodi, they accused security agencies of targeting young people with impunity, while government institutions mandated with accountability have remained silent or complicit.
“We are tired of burying young people, tired of the bullets, tired of the lies, and tired of a regime that protects killers in uniform,” Mr Kuria said.
“How is selling masks or being at home with your parents an act of disrespect?” he wondered.
They also accused the State of enabling goons hired to disrupt peaceful protests.