One policeman released as DPP recommends officer who shot mask vendor charged with murder
Justice George Kimondo directed that Barasa should undergo a mental test before his plea-taking on July 28
Klinzy Barasa, the officer who shot the mask vendor Boniface Kariuki last month during protests demanding the resignation of the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, will now be charged with murder.
This is after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga recommended he be charged with the capital offence after an amendment was made on the charge sheet after Kariuki succumbed to the gunshot wound last week.
Confirming the charges, Principal Magistrate Mark Ekhubi said murder charges were preferred by the DPP, adding that his co-accused, Duncan Kiprono, was released from police custody due to a lack of evidence.
“The first respondent will be remanded awaiting his arraignment before the High Court on the murder charges that have been preferred by the DPP. Following information by the DPP, the second respondent herein will be at liberty unless otherwise,” Ekhubi directed in his ruling.
The miscellaneous application has since been closed at the Magistrates Court, with the High Court also ordering a mental health assessment of Barasa before he can be formally charged with murder.
Justice George Kimondo directed that Barasa should undergo the test before his plea-taking on July 28.
The Prosecution told the court that the evaluation is necessary to confirm whether Barasa is mentally competent to stand trial.
He further ordered that the officer be moved from the Capitol Hill Police Station to Nairobi Remand Prison pending the outcome of the assessment.
Early this month, the court granted the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) an additional seven days to detain the two police officers as investigations continued.
The prosecution told Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi that the initial 21-day detention period for officers Klinzy Barasa and Duncan Kiprono was set to lapse, and investigations had not been completed.
The family of the deceased hawker held his mass yesterday and will be laid to rest tomorrow at his family home.
