Two officers accused of shooting hawker during protests in Nairobi detained for 15 days

The officers, identified as Klinzy Baraza Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, appeared before Magistrate BenMark Ekhubi under a miscellaneous application filed by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

The oversight body is seeking to detain the officers for 21 days to allow completion of forensic investigations.

The two will now be detained for 15 days to allow the IPOA conduct and conclude investigations into the matter. 

Masinde and Kiprono, who have since been interdicted, are suspected of opening fire on Kariuki along Mondlane Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District on June 17, amid Gen Z-led protests that have drawn national and international attention.

According to court filings, Kariuki was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by bystanders and underwent emergency surgery. He remains in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the two officers at Nairobi Area Police Headquarters following widespread public outcry and mounting demands for police accountability.

In court, IPOA outlined the scope of its ongoing investigation, which includes ballistic testing on firearms recovered from the suspects, analysis of forensic samples from the scene, review of CCTV footage, and interviews with key witnesses — including the victim, once he is medically stable.

The authority is also awaiting a full medical report.

IPOA argued that releasing the suspects at this stage could compromise the investigation, noting concerns over potential witness interference and evidence tampering.

“This matter has attracted intense public interest,” IPOA told the court. “It is in the interest of justice that the suspects remain in custody until investigations are concluded.”