The High Court has directed that police officer Clinzy Barassa undergo a mental health evaluation before he can be formally charged with the murder of Boniface Karioki, a street vendor known for selling face masks.
The assessment is scheduled to be conducted prior to Barassa’s plea-taking, which is set for July 28, 2025. Prosecutors told the court that the evaluation is necessary to confirm whether Barassa is mentally competent to stand trial.
Justice George Kimondo further ordered that the officer be moved from Capitol Hill Police Station to Nairobi Remand Prison pending the outcome of the assessment.
Barassa’s co-accused, Duncan Kiprono, had earlier been released after the Magistrate’s Court dropped the murder charge against him.
