Two police officers accused of shooting a masked street vendor during anti-police protests in Nairobi CBD on Tuesday have been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.
Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono were brought to court on Thursday in a Toyota Premio and held in the court cells ahead of their appearance.
The officers, both dressed in black trousers, heavy coats, and face masks, walked side by side as they were escorted into the cells.
The shooting occurred on June 17 along Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District amid demonstrations triggered by the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.
The hawker, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, was shot in the head at close range in broad daylight by one of the officers as protestors demanded justice for Ojwang.
He was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he is recuperating in the ICU.
The incident sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation from civil rights groups and a section of political leaders.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja ordered the
immediate arrest of the two officers pending investigations.
