Boniface Kariuki killing: DPP approves murder charges against constable Klinzy Barasa

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved murder charges against police officer Klinzy Barasa Masinde, who is accused of killing hawker Boniface Kariuki during the June 17 Nairobi protests over extrajudicial killings.

Barasa and his fellow constable, Duncan Kiprono, were interdicted after being captured on tape manhandling the unarmed mask vendor before one shot him at close range, leaving him for dead along Moi Avenue.

On Wednesday, the DPP informed the court that Barasa will be charged on Friday before High Court Judge Justice Kimondo.

Meanwhile, Kiprono was set free after the DPP said no murder charges would be preferred against him.

Following the incident, which sparked uproar and more protests over police brutality, Kariuki was admitted to the hospital with four bullet fragments lodged in his brain.

Doctors had previously removed two other fragments while he was still alive.

Pathologists noted that Kariuki's brain may have ceased functioning before his death was officially announced over a week later.