Klinzy Barasa Masinde, the police officer accused of shooting and killing hawker Boniface Kariuki during protests in Nairobi, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge.
Masinde was brought before the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, July 28, after a mental evaluation where he was found fit to stand trial.
The court directed the prosecution to file their bail applications within seven days, the same being given to the family of the victim to respond.
The closely followed case is regarding a traumatic incident during the June 17 anti-police brutality protests in Nairobi.
Masinde, alongside another officer, Duncan Kiprono, was captured on camera confronting Kariuki, a well-known mask vendor.
In the footage, the officers are seen manhandling the unarmed man before Masinde allegedly fired at close range, leaving Kariuki critically wounded on Moi Avenue.
Kariuki was rushed to hospital with four bullet fragments embedded in his brain.
He remained on life support for days. Though his death was officially recorded later, pathologists believe his brain had already stopped functioning by then.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), which has been investigating the case, has recommended the death penalty if Masinde is found guilty.
IPOA has also asked the court to conduct a threat assessment for two witnesses they consider especially vulnerable.
Officer Duncan Kiprono who was also arrested alongside Masinde was later released after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) declared that there was no evidence to justify murder charges against him.
Masinde remains under detention as the judicial process continues, the next hearing of the court expected to determine whether he would be released on bail.
