Police officer Klinzy Barasa has suffered a major setback after the High Court denied him bond in a murder case arising from the fatal shooting of a mask vendor during the June 2025 Gen Z protests in Nairobi. The demonstrations were held to commemorate young people who lost their lives during the June 2024 protests at Kenya’s Parliament buildings.
In her ruling, Lady Justice Margaret Muingai stated that the court considered three key issues: public order, peace and security. She noted that the case arose from circumstances within the public domain, linked to the maintenance of law and order by law enforcement officers.
Justice Muingai observed that the incident sparked public outrage and attracted widespread media coverage, making pretrial detention necessary to preserve public order. She warned that releasing the accused at this stage could provoke public disturbances.
The court also raised serious concerns over the likelihood of interference with potential witnesses. Justice Muingai stated that once the defence is supplied with committal bundles and witness lists, there exists a real risk that the accused could intimidate, threaten, influence or otherwise interfere with witnesses.
She ruled that the suspect is capable of instilling fear and anxiety among witnesses, particularly given his training, exposure and experience in law enforcement and investigations. The court found that Barasa could directly or indirectly interfere with witnesses if released on bail or bond.
Klinzy Barasa Masinde, a 32-year-old police constable, is charged with the murder of Bonface Kariuki. He has denied the charge, but the prosecution strongly opposed his release on bond.
The prosecution argued that Masinde’s position as a serving police officer grants him significant authority, access to firearms, and the ability to influence potential witnesses, including fellow officers who allegedly witnessed the fatal shooting. They further cited his technical expertise and access to sensitive information, such as communication data, which could be used to trace or intimidate witnesses.
In addition to the risk of witness interference, the prosecution expressed concerns that Masinde poses a flight risk. The court was also informed that his release could incite public unrest and potentially endanger his own safety due to widespread public anger over the incident.
The Director of Public Prosecutions maintained that releasing the accused at this stage would undermine public confidence in the justice system, particularly amid ongoing concerns over police accountability in use-of-force cases.
