Gen Z’s Declare 7 Days of Rage for Slain Rex Kanyeki

The tragic death of Rex Kanyeki Masai has fueled ongoing anti-tax protests in Kenya.

Rex, remembered fondly by his family as a reliable and amiable son, was fatally shot on a Thursday evening, leaving an irreplaceable void in the lives of his loved ones. His mother, Gillian Munyao, and father both express deep sorrow at the loss of their “treasure,” emphasizing Rex’s cheerful, kind, and reserved nature. The circumstances surrounding Rex’s death have intensified the already volatile situation in Kenya. According to his mother, Rex was returning home from work in Nairobi when he was caught in the chaos of anti-tax protests.

As he fled from tear gas, a bullet struck him, leading his distraught mother to believe that a police officer was responsible for her son’s untimely demise. The incident occurred near the national archives with crowd-sourced information confirming that Rex was hit on Mama Ngina Street. Rex, who had trained as an architect, was working at a casino while awaiting his transition into his chosen profession. A pathologist’s report reveals that he succumbed to excessive bleeding after being shot in the thigh. His death coincided with widespread protests against the Finance Bill of 2024, which saw thousands of young people take to the streets in various Kenyan cities, including Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Nairobi.

The protests have been marred by violence and injuries. Amnesty International reports that in Nairobi alone, 200 people were injured, with 50 requiring specialized medical treatment for issues ranging from soft tissue injuries to tear gas inhalation. The organization also notes that several individuals suffered from rubber bullet injuries, wounds caused by tear gas canisters and batons, and injuries sustained while fleeing from the police. Despite the chaos, prominent Kenyan organizations have commended the majority of protesters for demonstrating peacefully and showing restraint in the face of police provocation. However, the police response, which included the use of tear gas and water cannons against unarmed demonstrators, has been widely criticized.

Opposition leaders have called for the resignation of top police officials and urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to take legal action against the police leadership for their role in the violent crackdown. Hanifa Adan, one of the protest organizers, instructs demonstrators to stand down due to the extreme danger they face. She also warns against approaching the State House, having received information that some protesters were considering such action. However, claims emerged that a group heading to the State House consisted of hired troublemakers, not associated with the peaceful protesters.

The situation in Nairobi deteriorated as night fell with reports of looting and bonfires in the central business district. Protest organizers, including Boniface Mwangi, distanced themselves from the nighttime chaos, suggesting it was orchestrated by the state to discredit the peaceful movement. Meanwhile, at the City Mortuary, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Haki Africa Director Hussein Khalid condemned the police for using excessive force against protesters.