Lawyer claims cop caught on camera shooting mask hawker is innocent
By Zipporah Ngwatu, November 19, 2025Lawyer Vincent Yegon, representing Police Constable Klinzy Masinde Baraza, attached to Kayole Police Station and accused of murdering a mask hawker, Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, on June 17, 2025, has told the court that his client is innocent.
Baraza was charged with the murder of Mwangi outside Imenti House in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) during protests, contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code.
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Appearing before Milimani High Court Lady Justice Margaret Muigai on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, lawyer Yegon told the court that his client is still innocent until proven guilty, arguing that he therefore deserves to be granted bail.
Lawyer Yegon maintained that constitutionally, his client, Constable Klinzy, is innocent until he is proven guilty.
“My lady, you are being invited to deny somebody who is still innocent until otherwise proven. My lady, as we speak, my client is presumed innocent. Forget about what you have been told about this scenario happening in public in which a firearm was used. My lady, as far as the law is concerned, my client, Klinzy Baraza, is innocent until otherwise proven,” lawyer Yegon submitted to the court.
Yegon told the court that it is Klinzy’s constitutional right to be granted reasonable bail or bond pending the hearing and determination of his case unless there is sufficient reason for denying him bail.
“My lady, before I proceed, I want to remind this honourable court of what the law states in respect to an accused person’s right to bail,” lawyer Yegon told the court.
“My lady, Article 49 of the Constitution states that an accused person has a right to be released on bond or bail on reasonable conditions pending trial unless there are compelling reasons, my lady,” Yegon told the court.
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Further, he argued against the prosecution’s claim that the court should not release Klinzy on bail because he is a flight risk; he said they have not adduced any evidence to support their claim.
He noted that his client deserves to be granted bail.