Former police spokesperson Charles Owino has stirred controversy after claiming that Boniface Mwangi Kariuki, the hawker who was shot in the head during recent anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi, had insulted the police officer moments before the shooting.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday, July 1, Owino said that a close analysis of the widely shared video clip of the incident reveals Kariuki uttered an offensive slur, possibly provoking the officer who ultimately pulled the trigger.
“It was a very simple exchange. If you listen to that clip closely you will hear that boy abusing the policeman,” Owino claimed.
“But you are an officer—you must have restraint, and shoot him with a rubber bullet. You can see what it has caused the image of the police so far.”
Despite suggesting that Kariuki’s words may have escalated the situation, Owino condemned the shooting, emphasizing that officers must always exercise restraint, especially in emotionally charged situations. He added that the officer who shot Kariuki, Klinzy Barasa, was still young and possibly lacked the maturity to handle provocation calmly.
“Such a young boy… If you abuse him, you know what may happen,” he said.
Owino also noted that police officers are trained to handle “justifiable use of firearms”, but acknowledged that they sometimes face situations that require split-second decisions without guidance from their superiors.
His remarks have drawn criticism online, with many Kenyans saying that nothing justifies shooting an unarmed civilian at close range, regardless of verbal exchanges.
Boniface Kariuki, who was shot in the head on June 25 during protests in Nairobi, was declared brain dead on Sunday, according to a statement by his family. Doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital said his brainstem had ceased functioning, although his other organs are still active due to life support.
The two officers involved in the incident are currently being detained as investigations continue, under the watch of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The case has become a symbol of excessive force used during the recent Gen Z-led demonstrations, and public calls for accountability continue to intensify.
