Two officers already charged over shooting as NPS urges restraint
The National Police Service (NPS) is sending a clear message to all officers ahead of the planned June 25 protests: Use your firearms responsibly—or face serious consequences.
Speaking on Radio Citizen on Monday, June 23, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaggah strongly cautioned officers against misusing their weapons, especially during public demonstrations.
“We will not tolerate reckless use of firearms,” he said. “Those who break the law will be punished.”
Muchiri admitted the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a hawker hit during last week’s protests, was unjustified. He confirmed that the two officers involved—Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono from Kileleshwa Police Station—have been taken to court.
“That Shooting Was Wrong”
Muchiri spoke candidly about the incident.
“When I saw how the officer fired at the hawker, I was shocked,” he said. “That is not how we’re trained to respond.”
According to him, police officers are well-informed about the rules and legal limits of firearm use. The law is clear: deadly force should only be a last resort—used to protect life or prevent serious injury.
Under Section 61(2) of the National Police Service Act, firearms can only be used when there’s an imminent threat to life, or to prevent escape during a serious crime. Even more strictly, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) states that officers must not use firearms to disperse crowds, unless all other options have failed.
“Guns are not crowd control tools,” IPOA says. “They are a last line of defense—to protect life, not to threaten it.”
Protest-Linked Injuries Mounting
Kariuki was shot in the head along Mondlane Street in Nairobi on June 17 during protests. He’s now recovering at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after emergency surgery to remove what’s believed to be a rubber bullet.
KNH confirmed they received 16 protest-related patients that day—some with gunshot wounds, others with injuries from blunt force trauma.
The shooting of Kariuki has sparked public outrage online, with many calling for deeper reforms in how Kenyan police handle protests.
What to Expect on June 25
Youth groups and civil society organisations are gearing up for peaceful protests on June 25, aimed at honouring fallen demonstrators and pushing for police accountability.
The NPS says it’s ready to protect lawful demonstrators, but officers will be held to the highest standard.
“This isn’t just about order—it’s about rights,” Muchiri added. “We must uphold the Constitution.”