Lawyer Felix Keaton, who was representing two police officers accused of assaulting and shooting a protester at the height of Tuesday's chaos, has withdrawn from the case.

Keaton represented officers Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, who were captured assaulting Boniface Kariuki, a face mask vendor in Nairobi, and who are said to be in police custody.

Keaton said in a statement on Thursday, June 19, that he is leaving the highly charged case in order to protect himself and his family. 

He went on to say that Gen Z has contacted and messaged him over a thousand times to represent police suspects.

A wide-angled picture of the police officer running towards the protester from a convoy of police along Moi Avenue, June 17, 2025.

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Africa Uncensored

Keaton kept confidential the specifics of the calls and messages he received.

“I have received over 1,000 messages and calls from Gen Z because of representing a police suspect. As such, I hereby recuse myself from the conduct of the matter,” he stated.

"In the interest of my personal safety and that of my family, I have taken the painful but necessary decision to cease all legal representation in this matter," he added.

Additionally, Keaton said that his family is also receiving threats and disturbing messages from many Kenyans.

Lawyer Keaton, one of the attorneys defending the officers, stated during a press conference on June 18 that their client did not participate in the shooting.

"What we want to report to the public and the members of the press is that what you saw yesterday of a demonstrator being allegedly shot—that rubber bullet was not from our client. I want you to consider looking at the angle," Keaton said to the press.

This sentiment and the viral footage caused many Kenyans to be furious at him, reigniting calls for police accountability and reforms.

The two officers were arrested on June 17 and are scheduled to appear in court today.

A screengrab of a police officer carrying laptops believed to have been looted during protests in the Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

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