Prominent Nairobi-based lawyer Danstan Omari has revealed that he turned down a request to represent a police officer accused of shooting Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor who was injured during the recent Gen Z protests in Nairobi.
Speaking in an interview on Radio Maisha on Monday morning, Omari said the officer personally reached out to him for legal representation after being arrested and charged with misuse of a firearm. However, the lawyer firmly declined the request, citing the officer’s apparent lack of discipline and abuse of power.
“He reached out to me so that I can represent him, but I declined he lacked discipline,” Omari stated.
Boniface Kariuki was reportedly going about his business selling masks in the CBD when he was caught in the chaos and shot by the officer. The incident sparked national outrage, especially after graphic videos and images of Kariuki’s injuries surfaced on social media.
Omari, who is currently representing Central Police Station OCS Mr. Samson Talam in unrelated court matters, emphasized that no one is above the law, including police officers.
“I cannot support actions where innocent citizens are harmed by those meant to protect them,” he said.
He further acknowledged that while many officers in the service carry out their duties professionally, a rogue minority continues to stain the image of the police force through excessive use of force.
Kariuki remains hospitalized and is receiving treatment, with many Kenyans closely following his recovery and demanding swift justice.
The officer’s arrest has been welcomed by human rights activists and the general public, who see it as a critical step toward accountability in cases of police brutality.
Watch the video of Danstan Omari’s interview here:
UpdatedMail.co.ke will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as the legal process unfolds.
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