Two police officers who shot an unarmed street vendor selling face masks in Nairobi have been interdicted and handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Homicide Unit, the National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed.
In a statement released Wednesday, the NPS identified the officers as Police Constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde (Service No. 119413) and Police Constable Duncan Kiprono (Service No. 117193). The two were arrested following the controversial incident that left Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a 32-year-old mask vendor, with serious gunshot injuries.
The officers have since been interdicted and are now in the custody of the DCI Homicide Team based at headquarters, where they are being processed pending further legal and disciplinary action.
Kariuki, who was reportedly unarmed and non-threatening at the time of the incident, is said to have been shot during a routine patrol gone wrong. Witnesses claim the officers used excessive force despite the victim’s visible attempt to comply. The shooting occurred in Nairobi’s CBD, sparking public anger and renewed calls for accountability within the police service.
Kariuki is currently recovering in stable condition at Kenyatta National Hospital, following a successful surgery. Doctors say he is in critical condition after being shot on the left side of the head and the has since been bullet removed.
In its official statement, the NPS expressed regret over the incident and offered sympathies to the victim and his family.
“The National Police Service deeply regrets this unjustifiable act and commiserates with the victim and his family. We reaffirm our full commitment to ensuring justice is served,” the statement read, signed by Mucheri Nyaga, NPS Spokesperson and Director of Corporate Communication.
Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to open its own parallel investigation to determine if the officers should face criminal prosecution for attempted murder or unlawful use of force.
This latest incident adds to growing concern over police brutality and the urgent need for reforms in law enforcement, particularly regarding use of force against civilians.
