Deceased mask hawker’s family fears victimisation from accused cop
The family of the late Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the mask hawker who was killed outside Imenti House in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) during protests on June 17, 2025, has strongly opposed the release of the cop accused of killing the deceased.
Lawyer Eric Muriuki, representing the victim’s family, informed the court that the family of the deceased is afraid that the accused Police Constable Klinzy Baraza Masinde might victimise them.
You might also like
Appearing before Milimani High Court Judge Margaret Muigai, lawyer Muriuki noted that on the pre-bail report, the family indicated their high fears, which the court should keenly consider in its ruling on the bail application by the accused.
“My lady, this report captures the concern of the victim’s family because they say they are concerned that, given this public interest, they may be further victimised by the accused person,” lawyer Muriuki told the court.
Further, they argue that given the public interest the case generated and the media attention it has garnered, they may further be victimised by the accused person or any other persons that may be out for revenge in support of the accused person following his arraignment.
Notably, the victim’s family state that the accused stands a very high chance of using his connections in the force and also his police skills to interfere with key witnesses in the matter if granted bail or bond.
“My lady, the most important part of this report in the view of the victims is that the secondary victim, which is his family, feels that if released, the accused may exploit his police skills, utilise the resources available to him, and use the networks that he has created through his time in the force to interfere with witnesses or the matter,” lawyer Muriuki told the court.
“And my lady, to support this fear, he is still an employee of the National Police Service (NPS); therefore, my lady, it is not an unfounded apprehension,” the victim’s lawyer added.
He pleaded with the court to deny the accused bail or bond for the sake of the victim’s family and to ensure that the accused does not get any chance to interfere with the witnesses in the case.
“My lady, on behalf of the victims, I’m instructed to strongly, strongly oppose the release of the accused person on bail,” lawyer Kariuki told the court.
However, he urged the court that should it be inclined at any point to admit the accused person to bail, then it should do so after the witnesses have testified.
