Police Constable Klinzy Masinde Barasa has formally denied charges of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old street vendor Boniface Kariuki Mwangi in Nairobi's Central Business District during June 17 protest.
Masinde appeared before High Court Judge Kimondo Kanyi on Monday, where he entered a plea of not guilty. "Plea of not guilty is accordingly entered," Justice Kanyi announced after the charge was read aloud in court.
The DPP, through State Prosecutor Vincent Monda, told the court that the accused is facing one count of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code. "The particulars of the charge indicate that on June 17, 2025, outside Imenti House in Nairobi's Central Business District, within Nairobi County, you murdered Boniface Kariuki Mwangi," the charge sheet reads in part.
Masinde pleaded to the charges after the prosecution tendered a mental assessment report in court showing that he was fit to stand trial for murder charges. "Following court orders the accused had undergone a mental assesement.
