The murder trial of police officer Klinzy Barasa has taken an unexpected and dramatically viral turn—this time, not inside the courtroom, but outside its doors.
Barasa, who is facing murder charges over the fatal shooting of mask vendor Boniface Kariuki, appeared in court on Thursday, 10 July.
Following the hearing, his lawyer stepped forward to address the press, but what unfolded has since spread like wildfire across social media, leaving Kenyans both stunned and amused.
While attempting to explain how the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) arrived at the decision to press murder charges against his client, the advocate made a repeated grammatical error that quickly caught the public's attention and became the subject of widespread ridicule.
“Position of DPP on how they choosed my client. Well, they have choosed, they have choosed a murder charge, simply because there was a death that occurred,” he stated, his phrasing becoming increasingly awkward under the glare of the cameras.
“So sad that the victim has died over the shots and that is the reason why the murder charge has been preferred.” The clip is available on multiple social media platforms.
"Choosed" Goes Viral: Kenyans React to Lawyer's Gaffe
The persistent misuse of the word “choosed” spread like wildfire across social media platforms, with amused Kenyans swiftly sharing the clip across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
The viral moment sparked a flood of reactions, with many expressing disbelief that someone representing a murder case could stumble so publicly in their speech.
Others quipped that the lawyer might have been better off addressing the media in Kiswahili or his native language rather than grappling with English under pressure.
Social media users wasted no time in turning the gaffe into a meme fest. Instagram user @mkare.snr joked: “Lawyer anasema ‘choosed’ na bado unamtegemea ?” (Lawyer says 'choosed' and you're still relying on him ?). @heavens_hheiley added: “Huyu lawyer kama ni wangu najismamia kotini weeeeh ?”
(If this lawyer were mine, I'd represent myself in court ?). @mr_osnjau threw serious shade: “Kwani he did law at Neighbourhood Polytechnic College… ‘Choosed’” while@itz.e.d.d.i.e simply commented: “?? hana budi” (he has no choice/it is what it is). Amidst the humour, @desy7008_ offered a gentle grammar correction: “Ni chosen.....eeey”.
This is not the first time one of Barasa’s legal representatives has gone viral for the wrong reasons, prompting some social media users to joke that the defence team might be cursed—or simply ill-prepared for the high-profile case.
Despite the online amusement and grammatical distractions, the seriousness of the case remains paramount.
Barasa is set to appear next before the High Court as the murder trial officially continues, with the legal proceedings firmly in the public eye.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!