Rex Masai’s Mother Decries Suspicious Handling of Son’s Death

The investigation into the death of Rex Masai, a 29-year-old protester allegedly shot by police during demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, has come to a frustrating standstill.

The sole eyewitness has retracted his statement, reportedly due to threats, leaving Rex’s family struggling to uncover the truth behind his tragic demise. On July 26, at a Citizens Assembly held at the Catholic University, Rex’s mother Gillian Munyao expressed her growing impatience with the slow progress of the investigation. She recounted the events of June 20 when Rex was fatally shot outside the Hilton Hotel on Moi Avenue in Nairobi around 7 pm while walking home with a friend.

Munyao alleges that an officer fired live ammunition striking Rex and causing fatal bleeding from the bullet wound. The family’s distress was compounded by irregularities surrounding the handling of Rex’s body. Munyao reveals that she was present at the hospital after her son’s death, where a doctor informed her of a bullet found in Rex’s left thigh. However, during the subsequent autopsy, the bullet was mysteriously absent, having been reportedly taken by the police as evidence. This discrepancy has left the family both puzzled and distraught.

The post-mortem examination confirms that Rex succumbed to excessive bleeding caused by the bullet wound, a conclusion reached by both government and family experts. Adding to the family’s anguish, the autopsy process was delayed for hours due to pending paperwork from the police station. The Director of Public Prosecutions Ingonga stated that the CCTV footage from the incident failed to conclusively identify the individual responsible for the shooting. According to him, the lack of clear evidence has hindered the progress of the investigation.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has encountered difficulties in securing witnesses for the deaths of Rex and four others during the protests. This has not only impeded the investigation but also given rise to broader anti-government sentiment. Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo has criticized Ingonga’s stance, calling for more equitable inquiries and better protection for witnesses. She expresses disappointment in the Director of Public Prosecutions for failing to offer solutions or encouragement to address the fear preventing potential witnesses from coming forward in such cases.