- Advocate Felix Keaton has withdrawn from representing police officer, Klinzy Barasa, accused of shooting Boniface Kariuki during a protest against police violence in Nairobi
- Keaton claimed the officers used only ball bullets and claimed that the incident was of incorrect identity
- The lawyer left the case after receiving more than 1,000 messages and a phone call from Gen Z forcing him to resign
Felix Keaton, an attorney representing two police officers allegedly shooting Boniface Kariuki during The procession In Nairobi, he has officially withdrawn from the case, citing great pressure from the public, noting Gen Z. activists.
Source: Facebook
The two officers identified as Police Constable Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono are being investigated following a shooting incident that left Kariuki in serious condition.
Kariuki, a vendor, was selling the barn during Tuesday’s protest, June 17, when he was shot in an incident that sparked national anger.
Keaton defended his clients insisting that the officers were not responsible for the shooting.
“They had rubber bullets, not hot bullets,” Keaton said, questioning that any shooting that was fired during the protests was not to kill and suggested that the incident could be a mistake of identity.
Why did Felix Keaton withdraw from the case?
A day later, Keaton revealed that, since the start of the case, he received more than 1,000 calls from Kenya’s Gen Z, many of them criticizing his decision to defend the charged officers.
“I have received over 1000 messages and phones from Gen Z for representing a police suspect. So, I refrain from the conduct of the matter. Thank you,” he said.
The incident has exacerbated the growing pressure of Kenyan youths to demand accountability for police violence, with many trying to use social networks to directly oppose those linked to violence.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
