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Former constabulary spokesperson Charles Owino has blamed mask seller Boniface Kariuki for insulting a police serviceman moments earlier helium was changeable successful the head.
Kariuki died successful the ICU much than a week aft being shot during the #JusticeForAlbertOjwang protests successful Nairobi.
Boniface Kariuki being carried to person assistance aft getting shot.Owino said that though the shooting was regrettable, it whitethorn person been triggered by Kariuki’s words.
He described the speech arsenic “simple” but said a person perceive to the video clip of the shooting incidental shows Boniface Kariuki hurling insults astatine the officer.
“If you perceive to that clip closely, you volition perceive that lad abusing the policeman,” Owino said.
“But you are an officer, you indispensable person restraint, and sprout him with a rubber bullet. You tin spot what it has caused the representation of the constabulary truthful far.”
Should Officers Carelessly Shoot Live Bullets?
Charles Owino acknowledged that the serviceman should not person utilized live ammunition, but suggested that the young property of the officer, Klinzy Barasa, whitethorn person made it hard for him to enactment calm nether pressure.
“Such a young boy… If you maltreatment him… you cognize what whitethorn happen,” Owino added.
Owino explained that police are trained to enactment alone successful abrupt situations, particularly during chaotic protests. He said officers are taught erstwhile it is legally justifiable to usage a firearm, though they are besides expected to enactment with restraint.
He besides referenced Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s shoot-on-sight directive, saying that it was a effect to the rising hostility from ongoing Gen Z-led protests, which Murkomen had earlier called an attempted coup.
“The curate tin lone springiness instructions to the IG successful penning and connected matters of policy. That is what the constitution provides,” said Owino. “But sometimes, a curate feels incapacitated by the concern connected the ground.”
Kariuki’s Condition and Legal Action
Boniface Kariuki was changeable connected June 17, 2025, on Mondlane Street successful Nairobi’s CBD. He was aboriginal declared brain dead by doctors astatine Kenyatta National Hospital, though his organs are inactive functioning. His household says some slug fragments stay lodged successful his brain and person not been removed.
It is unclear whether the 2 officers progressive successful the incident, Klinzy Baraza Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, person been interdicted for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the government has waived Kariuki’s infirmary bills and those of different victims injured during the June 25 protests. The determination came amid increasing nationalist outrage and demands for justice.
By Vivian K.
The station BONIFACE KARIUKI INSULTED POLICE BEFORE SHOOTING, CLAIMS EX-SPOKESMAN OWINO appeared archetypal connected BNN.