- Lawyer Felix Keaton drops the case of two Nairobi cops over safety concerns.
- Claims Gen Z-linked online activists sent over 1,000 threats.
- Officers Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono are caught on viral video assaulting a vendor.
- The incident has triggered fresh anger and demands for police reforms.
- Barasa and Kiprono expected in court today.
Felix Keaton, the lawyer who had taken up the defence of two Nairobi police officers accused of assault and attempted shooting, has officially withdrawn from the case. Keaton announced on Wednesday, citing threats to his life and safety allegedly from online groups believed to be linked to Kenya’s vocal Gen Z movement.
The case involves officers Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, who were captured in a now widely shared video allegedly beating up a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, in Nairobi’s CBD. The video has sparked massive public backlash, with many Kenyans calling for accountability and swift justice.
Young people, particularly those identifying with the Gen Z movement, have used social media to push the story nationwide, demanding answers and reforms from law enforcement authorities.
Keaton Says His Family Was Also Threatened
In his statement, Keaton said he had received more than 1,000 threats, including calls and messages warning him to leave the case. He further revealed that the intimidation had extended to his close family members.
“In the interest of my safety and that of my family, I have taken the painful but necessary decision to cease all legal representation in this matter,” Keaton wrote.
Despite their lawyer stepping away, officers Barasa and Kiprono are expected in court later today. The case has gained huge attention, not only for the shocking footage but also for what it represents—widening tension between the police and a younger, more outspoken generation of Kenyans.
What started as a street incident has now become a bigger conversation. The viral clip, Keaton’s exit, and the emotional public reaction have turned this into a symbol of the strained relationship between law enforcers and Kenya’s digital generation.
With growing calls for justice, transparency, and deep police reform, the courtroom may now become a stage for more than just a legal battle—it could define a turning point in how Kenya handles police accountability in the digital age.
