DPP On Rex Masai Shooting: CCTV Doesn't Clearly Identify Person Who Shot Him
The DPP revealed that investigations had so far indicated that the deceased’s relatives identified the body for post-mortem.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Investigations into the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai at the height of the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in June have hit a hurdle, if an update from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga is anything to go by.
On Tuesday, July 23, the DPP who addressed journalists, revealed that investigations had so far indicated that the deceased’s relatives identified the body for post-mortem.
"The people who took Rex Kanyike Masai to hospital have not come forward to record statements, including the key witness who was with the deceased during the shooting and who informed the deceased’s parents after the incident occurred," he stated in part.
Ingonga termed their testimony vital importance to the investigations since CCTV footage showing the shooting does not clearly identify the person who was captured opening fire on the late Masai.
Renson Mulele Ingonga takes his oath of office as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at State House, Nairobi on September 25, 2023. /PCS
"I call upon any person with information pertaining to this case especially the witnesses who took the deceased to the hospital and those who witnessed the shooting to come forward and record a statement with IPOA," he added.
Masai died after being shot in the thigh by a police officer during the Thursday, June 20 protests. CCTV footage revealed a chaotic scene along Moi Avenue, where passersby scrambled for safety as law enforcement officers advanced with clubs, pistols, and tear gas.
The 29-year-old who witnesses stated was merely on his way home from work, found himself caught in the turmoil. The video showed an officer throwing an object, possibly a stone, towards the protesters.
As the crowd fled down Mama Ngina Street, another group ran for their lives, unaware of the impending disaster. In a desperate moment, one individual dropped a phone, hesitated, but then abandoned it upon seeing a police officer brandishing a pistol. From another angle, a plain-clothes officer fired the shot that was said to have tragically hit Rex.
The aftermath revealed Rex lying on the street, grievously wounded by a bullet in his thigh. A friend, who was unidentified for security reasons, rushed him to Bliss Medical Centre near the National Archives before he succumbed.
Other Cases
Meanwhile, Ingonga provided an update on the investigation into the death of another protester, Evans Kiratu Karobia, who passed away while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after reportedly sustaining injuries during the demonstrations.
"Investigations show that the cause of death was identified as multiple organ injuries due to blunt force trauma. No person has recorded any statement regarding the incident of the deceased being assaulted," the DPP noted while urging witnesses in the case to come out and testify, and directed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to place the matter before a competent court for public inquest.
Additionally, he also commented on the status of Dominic Wanjala Mutua, a protester injured when a police officer reportedly fired a tear gas canister at him, and Gianna Merkel Obonyo, who suffered a gunshot wound while riding a bicycle in her parents' compound.
According to Ingonga, the main suspect in Mutua's case has denied firing the teargas canister at the victim.
"I direct that further investigations be conducted to authenticate the video and a report submitted by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) showing the alleged incident. In addition, I have also directed that a report from the ballistic examiner be availed," he said.
Protestors react after police use teargas to disperse them during a demonstration against the proposed finance bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi. /REUTERS
In Obonyo's case, the DPP noted that he would review the case once the investigations file is resubmitted with the ballistics report. He said, "To date, the investigations have not found any person culpable."
The DPP further directed IPOA to launch a probe into the shooting of Mediamax journalist Catherine Wanjeri Kariuki while covering anti-government protests in Nakuru last week.
He also revealed that his office is currently working on 19 cases pending in court involving the murders of Kenyans by police.
