Suspects in Kariuki’s shooting incident claim they didn’t have live ammunitions

Felix Keaton, lawyer defending the two police officers suspected of shooting Boniface Kariuki, speaking on June 18, 2025 / Screengrab

Two police officers accused of shooting city hawker Boniface Kariuki during protests in Nairobi have denied any involvement in the incident.

The officers, identified as Police Constables Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, are under investigation following the shooting that occurred as Kariuki sold face masks during anti-police brutality demonstrations on Tuesday.

The protests, which began peacefully, turned chaotic after groups of armed individuals disrupted the march, attacking civilians and business owners.

Appearing through their lawyer, Felix Keaton, the officers claimed that no police officer at the scene was armed with live bullets.

“They had shotguns and rubber bullets,” Keaton said.

“If any shots were fired, they were rubber bullets. Not live ammunition.”

He also maintained that the officers were not involved in the shooting and called the accusations speculative.

Following the incident, the National Police Service confirmed that the two officers had been interdicted and were being processed by the Homicide Unit at the DCI headquarters.

In a statement, NPS said Kariuki was in recovery at Kenyatta National Hospital after emergency surgery.

“The National Police Service deeply regrets this act and commiserates with the victim and his family, while reaffirming its full commitment to ensuring justice is served,” the statement read.

Kenyatta National Hospital later confirmed Kariuki’s condition as critical but stable.

KNH CEO Dr. William Sigilai said Kariuki was referred from a city clinic with a gunshot wound to the left side of his head.

“Upon arrival, he was critically ill, bleeding, and showed signs of severe injury,” Dr. Sigilai said.

He noted that an emergency team led by Dr. Janet Sugut stabilised the patient and placed him on life support. A CT scan revealed a bullet lodged in his head.

At 8:50 p.m., a multidisciplinary team led by neurosurgeon Dr. Sam Njiru performed a two-hour emergency operation to remove the object, believed to be a bullet.

Kariuki was later transferred to the ICU, where he remains under close monitoring by a specialised team.

While his condition is still listed as critical, doctors say he is alive and receiving the highest level of care.