Gen Z Forces Lawyer to Withdraw from Case of Cop Accused of Shooting Protester
Lawyer Felix Keaton has officially withdrawn from a controversial case involving two police officers accused of assaulting and shooting a protester during Tuesday’s protests in Nairobi.
Keaton had been representing officers Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, who were caught on video attacking Boniface Kariuki, a street vendor selling face masks.
The incident sparked public outrage after graphic footage circulated widely, showing the officers allegedly assaulting Kariuki during a protest. Both officers are currently in police custody.
On Thursday, June 19, Keaton issued a statement announcing his decision to step away from the case. He explained that intense pressure and safety concerns led him to drop the case.
He mentioned that the backlash he received was mainly from Gen Z—the generation of young Kenyans driving recent demonstrations.
“I have received more than 1,000 messages and calls, mostly from Gen Z, regarding my decision to represent a police officer accused of misconduct. Because of this, I have chosen to recuse myself from the case,” Keaton said in his statement.
He further explained that stepping away was not an easy choice but a necessary one to ensure his safety and that of his loved ones. “In the interest of my personal safety and the well-being of my family, I have made the difficult but necessary decision to cease all legal involvement in this matter,” he added.
Keaton also revealed that his family has been receiving disturbing threats from members of the public. The lawyer did not disclose the exact content of the messages and calls but said the pressure was overwhelming.
Earlier, during a press briefing held on June 18, Keaton had attempted to defend the accused officers by arguing that they were not responsible for firing the rubber bullet that allegedly injured Kariuki.
“We want to make it clear to the public and the media that the rubber bullet which reportedly struck the protester did not come from our client. Please take time to evaluate the angle from which it was fired,” he told journalists.
However, his remarks only added to the public anger. Many Kenyans, particularly the youth-led protest movement, viewed his comments as an attempt to shield rogue police officers.
This fueled further criticism of the police and renewed calls for justice, accountability, and urgent reforms within the security forces.
The two officers—Masinde and Kiprono—were arrested on Monday, June 17, following public pressure and the emergence of clear video evidence. They are expected to be arraigned in court today as investigations into the incident continue.
The withdrawal of their lawyer adds a new twist to the already tense situation, with many Kenyans watching closely to see how the justice system will handle the case amidst growing demands for police reform and respect for human rights.
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