A lawyer who was representing two police officers accused of assault and attempted shooting in Nairobi has decided to step away from the case. The lawyer, Felix Keaton, made the announcement after receiving many threats which he claims came from members of the online youth movement known as Gen Z.
Keaton was defending officers Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, who were seen in a viral video allegedly assaulting a street vendor named Boniface Kariuki. The incident has angered many Kenyans and renewed calls for justice and police reform, especially among the youth who have become very active online.
Keaton said that he received over 1,000 messages and phone calls threatening him and warning him not to continue representing the two officers. He explained that the safety of his family was also being threatened, which made it impossible for him to continue with the case.
He added that although it was a difficult choice, he had no other option but to stop handling the matter. He did not share the exact content of the threats but confirmed that even his family members had received disturbing messages.
According to him, the pressure from the Gen Z movement was too much, and it put his life at risk.The case involving Barasa and Kiprono has attracted attention across the country. The two officers were caught on camera attacking Kariuki, a vendor who was reportedly not involved in any crime at the time.
The video has circulated widely on social media, and many young Kenyans have taken it as further proof that police brutality is still a serious problem. The officers are now in police custody and are expected to appear in court later today.
Their case has become a symbol of the growing tension between the police and the youth, who are demanding better treatment, justice, and accountability from law enforcement.
In a press briefing held on June 18, Keaton had earlier said that the officers he was representing were not responsible for the shooting of a protester. He asked the public and the press to review the footage carefully, suggesting that the rubber bullet may not have come from his clients.
However, that statement did little to calm the anger online, and soon after, Keaton started receiving threats. He later confirmed that the decision to withdraw was final and necessary to protect his life and that of his loved ones.
The two police officers remain in custody as they await their court hearing, with the public closely watching how the case unfolds.
Add Comment