An ongoing inquest into the death of 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai has taken center stage in Nairobi’s Milimani Law Courts, nearly a year after he was fatally shot during anti-tax protests in June 2024. The incident, which sparked national outrage and demands for accountability, remains shrouded in controversy as police officers and high-ranking officials face scrutiny over their roles in the deadly response to the demonstrations.
Masai was among hundreds of young Kenyans who took to the streets of Nairobi’s Central Business District to protest the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed new tax measures on essential goods and digital services. The protests, organized primarily through social media platforms like Twitter (X) and TikTok, quickly escalated into clashes between demonstrators and anti-riot police.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts, police used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse the crowds. In the chaos, Masai was shot in the upper thigh along Moi Avenue, near the National Archives, and rushed to Bliss Hospital. Doctors at the facility later confirmed he was dead on arrival.
“He was shot in the upper middle part of the thigh. It appears he bled to death before being brought to our facility,” a medical officer at Bliss Hospital said, noting that the femoral artery—a major blood vessel—may have been severed.
Public Outcry and Legal Action
Masai’s death sent shockwaves across the country, especially among Kenya’s youth, many of whom viewed him as a symbol of resistance against what they perceived as government overreach and economic oppression. The hashtag #JusticeForRex trended nationwide for days, with activists, politicians, and human rights organizations calling for a transparent investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended an inquest be held to determine whether criminal charges, including murder, should be brought against any suspects. The inquest, presided over by Milimani principal magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, began in late 2024 and has so far heard testimonies from several police officers and senior officials.
Among the key witnesses are police constable Isaiah Muraguri—allegedly among the officers deployed during the protests—and Adamson Bungei, who was then Nairobi regional police commander and is currently serving as the Director of Police Operations.
Police Denial and Blame-Shifting
During his testimony, Bungei distanced himself and his unit from the fatal shooting. He told the court that no police officer under his command fired any live rounds during the protest and suggested that the bullet that killed Rex Masai could have come from a privately owned firearm.
“Just because there was a shooting doesn’t mean it was only police officers who could have fired. Private gun owners may have also been involved. On that day, no police officer fired any shots,” Bungei stated under oath.
His comments have drawn criticism from legal experts and civil society groups, who view the remarks as an attempt to deflect responsibility and muddy the investigative waters. Amnesty International Kenya, which has been closely monitoring the case, expressed concerns over the lack of transparency and the police’s history of using excessive force against protesters.
Eyewitnesses Tell a Different Story
Despite police claims of innocence, several protesters and human rights observers who were on the ground during the demonstrations have provided contrary accounts. One demonstrator, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told journalists that uniformed officers were seen chasing down protesters and firing directly into crowds.
“There was panic everywhere, and police were shooting indiscriminately. I saw at least two people fall to the ground bleeding. We had to carry Rex because he was badly wounded,” the witness said.
Footage shared on social media corroborates these claims, showing armed police officers engaging protesters with both rubber bullets and, reportedly, live rounds. Though the videos have yet to be formally admitted as evidence in court, they have fueled public suspicion and calls for justice.
Calls for Police Reform and Accountability
Rex Masai’s death is not an isolated incident. According to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), dozens of Kenyans have been killed or injured in similar confrontations with law enforcement over the past five years. Despite recurring public pressure and international condemnation, few officers have been held accountable.
Civil society organizations, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), have renewed demands for comprehensive police reform and an overhaul of crowd-control tactics. In a joint statement, they emphasized the need for independent investigations, body cameras for officers, and a review of the National Police Service’s rules of engagement during protests.
“Rex’s case is a tragic reminder of how far we still need to go in safeguarding the rights to life, peaceful assembly, and free expression in this country. The police must not be a tool of political suppression,” said KHRC Executive Director Davis Malombe.
Family Left in Mourning
For the Masai family, the inquest is both a painful necessity and a slow march toward closure. Rex was described by friends and relatives as a bright, peaceful young man who believed in standing up for what was right. His mother, in an emotional plea during a vigil held in Uhuru Park, said she wants those responsible for her son’s death to be held accountable.
“My son left home that day to raise his voice for a better future. He came back in a casket. I want justice, not just for him but for all the other young people who are being silenced,” she said.
What Next?
As the inquest continues, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on the courtroom proceedings. Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo is expected to conclude the hearings in the coming months, after which a recommendation will be made on whether murder or manslaughter charges should be brought against any of the suspects.
Legal analysts say the outcome of this case could set a critical precedent for how Kenya handles alleged police misconduct and violence against civilians in the future.
For now, Rex Kanyike Masai’s name endures as a symbol of youth activism and the high cost of civic engagement in Kenya.