A police officer has denied involvement in the fatal shooting of Rex Masai, a 29-year-old man who died during the June 18 protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Testifying in an inquest at Milimani Law Courts on December 11, 2024, Officer Isaiah Murangiri, who is attached to the Central Police Station, said he was off duty on the day of the incident.
“On June 18 and 19, I was not at work. I reported to duty on June 20 and was deployed to the KICC to help manage protests,” Murangiri said.
Who then, Shot Rex Masai?
Masai’s death occurred in the evening after he was struck by a live bullet, allegedly fired by police. The demonstrations that day had spread across the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and other parts of the country.
Murangiri explained that while he was issued a teargas launcher on June 20, he did not use it and returned it to the station by 6 p.m.
“I didn’t fire any rounds from any weapon. I also didn’t launch any teargas canisters,” he told the court.
When asked by one of the lawyers about allegations linking him to Masai’s shooting, Murangiri firmly denied them.
“I wasn’t even in the CBD when Rex was shot. I don’t know who fired the bullet,” he stated.
Masai’s father, Crispine Odawa, also testified during the inquest. His family, visibly emotional, attended the session to seek justice for their late son.
Murangiri was the fourth witness to take the stand in the ongoing inquest. His testimony was paused after the state announced plans to present video evidence in the case.
The court will continue its efforts to determine who is responsible for the events that led to Masai’s tragic death.
By Vivian K.