'No officer in Nairobi used live bullets,' Former Central Police Commander tells court on Rex Masai murder

Former Central Police Commander Dorris Mugambi has distanced the police from the fatal shooting of Rex Kanyike Masai during the Gen Z-led demonstrations.

Testifying in court, Mugambi, now the Kiambu County Commander, stated that no police officer can be held accountable for the actions of another.

Mugambi insisted that no police station within Nairobi's jurisdiction used live ammunition during the protests.

For the second time, Mugambi was speaking after she took the stand in the ongoing inquest into the death of Rex Masai.

"There was no live ammunition used… from the report on all the stations under Central..." she said.

In her testimony, Mugambi told the court that individual officers commanding stations (OCSs) from the police stations in question — Central, Kamukunji, Ngara, KICC, and Parliament — were solely responsible for operational decisions, including deployment and reporting.

She added that no formal deployment was made on January 20th, as the protests were spontaneous and had not been anticipated.

"If we can have the right deployment of that day, we will be able to move forward… did we have any other person, maybe a licensed gun holder..." she stated.

Mugambi further suggested that the fatal shot may not have come from a police officer, implying the possibility of involvement by another armed party in the demonstrations.

"We don't enjoy the monopoly of having firearms… not unless you tell me with certainty that this bullet came from an officer..."Mugambi noted.

When asked whether she knew Isaiah Murangiri, the officer who has been widely linked to the shooting but has since denied involvement, Mugambi responded that she could not be expected to know all junior officers.

"The junior officers are not under my command,” said Mugambi.

Her testimony is part of an inquest seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding Rex Masai’s death, which ignited nationwide protests.

The inquest is scheduled to resume on July 16th, with 10 more witnesses expected to testify.

Meanwhile, Masai’s family has urged the court to expedite proceedings as they prepare to mark the first anniversary of his death.