Activist Boniface Mwangi has launched a scathing attack on Kenya’s judiciary and police over what he sees as a disturbing trend of suspects, especially police officers, concealing their faces during court appearances.

In a strongly worded statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Mwangi lambasted judicial officers for enabling what he described as a culture of impunity, criticizing the routine use of masks, hoodies, and jackets to obscure identities in courtrooms.

He accused the courts and independent institutions of betraying the principles of open justice, saying the practice undermines transparency and emboldens perpetrators of serious crimes.

“There’s something deeply wrong when our judges and magistrates allow accused murderers, rapists, and thieves to appear in court with their faces hidden. That isn’t justice it’s an act of cowardice,” Mwangi wrote.

The former photojournalist reminded the judiciary of Chief Justice Martha Koome’s previous stance that no individual should be allowed to cover their face in court.

He insisted that courtroom appearances must be public and open, particularly for accountability and identification purposes.

“If you’ve got nothing to hide, then don’t hide your face. When suspects mask themselves, they could easily evade justice for other crimes. Courts must not enable that kind of concealment,” Mwangi said.

He added emphatically, “Hakuna kuficha sura kortini! (No hiding faces in courts) A courtroom is a public space. Appearing in court with your face visible should not be optional it must be enforced.”

His remarks follow public outcry over the appearance of police constables Masinde Barasa and Duncan Kiprono, who were arraigned for the alleged shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki along Moi Avenue during anti-finance bill protests on June 17.

The two officers, said to have been captured on video using excessive force against the unarmed vendor, showed up at the Milimani Law Courts with their faces entirely covered triggering fresh debate on whether such allowances defeat the purpose of public judicial scrutiny.