In court: Court to set pretrial directions in mask vendor Boniface Kariuki murder case

The murder case against police officer Klinzy Masinde Barasa is set to come up today for pretrial directions.

Barasa is charged with the murder of mask vendor Boniface Kariuki Mwangi, who was shot in broad daylight outside Imenti House in Nairobi on June 17, 2025.

During earlier proceedings, Barasa pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. 

Kariuki was vending face masks along the busy Central Business District when the fatal shooting occurred. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head and later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

The pretrial directions comes after the High Court declined to release the accused officer on bail, citing compelling reasons advanced by the prosecution.

In a ruling delivered on February 9, 2025, the court observed that the circumstances surrounding the shooting were unique and had already entered the public domain, raising concerns over public order and the integrity of the trial process.

The court noted that Barasa, being a serving police officer, wields authority and access that could potentially interfere with witnesses or ongoing investigations if released.

It further held that granting bail in the circumstances bore the risk of compromising the safety of victims and witnesses, as well as undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.

In opposing bail, the prosecution argued that the nature of the offence, the manner in which it was allegedly committed, and the position held by the accused amounted to compelling reasons warranting continued detention.

Prosecutors also pointed to the public interest generated by the case, warning that the accused’s release could heighten tensions or lead to interference with witnesses.

On his part, Barasa urged the court to consider his personal circumstances, including his assurance that he would comply with all court directives and the fact that he has a young family that depends on him.

However, the court found that these considerations did not outweigh the risks identified by the prosecution.

Case challenging compensation panel

Elsewhere, a High Court petition challenging the legality of President William Ruto’s protest victims’ compensation panel, filed by litigant Magare Gikenyi and others, comes up for directions.

The case questions whether the Executive can constitute and operationalise a compensation mechanism outside what the Petitioners describe as the constitutional framework.

The matter unfolds against the backdrop of a Kerugoya High Court ruling that issued conservatory orders halting the implementation of the presidential proclamation and Gazette Notice establishing the panel.

The court later declared the proclamation and Gazette Notice unconstitutional, holding that the mandate to investigate human rights violations and facilitate redress lies with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR).

Notably, an appeal has since been filed seeking clarification of that Kerugoya decision in a related but separate petition by lawyer Levi Munyeri.