Mask vendor murder: Bail ruling for Klinzy Baraza set for December 18
By Zipporah Ngwatu, November 20, 2025A Nairobi High Court has set a new date to rule on the application by Police Constable Klinzy Masinde Baraza, who is seeking to be released on bail or bond pending the trial of his murder case.
Klinzy, a police officer attached to Kayole Police Station, is seeking bail after being charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code, an offence to which he pleaded not guilty before Justice Kanyi Kimondo on July 28, 2025.
The officer is accused of murdering Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, a mask hawker, outside Imenti House in Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) during protests on June 17, 2025.
Milimani High Court Lady Justice Margaret Muigai will deliver the ruling on Officer Klinzy’s bail and bond application on December 18, 2025.
“The ruling on bail and bond will be delivered online on December 18, 2025, at 11 am,” Justice Muigai stated.
In his application, Klinzy argues that his offence is bailable and that he is entitled to be released on reasonable bail or bond pending the hearing and determination of the case.
He further supports his application by stating that he is the sole breadwinner of his young family, which includes a wife, two children, and an elderly, sickly mother.
He reveals that since his arrest and detention, his family has struggled to put food on the table, as they solely depend on him, adding that his wife cannot do much since she is not formally employed.
Additionally, the application states that his two school-going children have been in and out of school due to financial constraints, and their mother cannot provide for their education alone.
“For the period I have been in custody, my family has been living from hand to mouth, which is threatening the disintegration of my family and will negatively impact the children and my sick, elderly mother,” part of the application read.
Through a sworn affidavit, Constable Klinzy also states that, due to the constraints his wife is facing as a result of his detention, she has threatened to leave him, which could lead to the loss of his young family.
“Raising two children and attending to other needs such as rent and food on her own without any form of employment has taken a toll on my wife; she has threatened to leave, which would disintegrate the family and risk my children becoming delinquents,” part of the affidavit read.
He also argues that his sickly, elderly mother, who requires urgent and timely attention, has suffered and continues to suffer due to his detention, noting that he has been her main source of support.
Klinzy’s legal team, led by Vincent Yegon, states that their client is constitutionally entitled under Article 49 (1) (h) of the Constitution of Kenya to be released on bond or bail on reasonable conditions, pending his trial.
The defence further states that there are no compelling reasons why the accused should be denied bail as required by the Constitution.
They also argue that, if granted bail, their client will cooperate, will not abscond, and will attend all proceedings whenever and wherever required.
Additionally, they note that the accused has fixed abodes in Kayole, Nairobi County, and in Bungoma, and is therefore not a flight risk.
“Unless bail is granted, the accused person’s children and his mother will be utterly destroyed, and justice will not be seen to have been done if the lives of the two young children and his entire dependent family are ruined,” the defence argued.