Rex Masai murder: DPP says key witness still missing, CCTV footage unclear

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga now says that the primary witness in the investigation into Rex Kanyeki Masai's murder has not appeared to testify on the incident.

Masai was one of the protesters reportedly shot dead by police during the height of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations last month.

On the day he met his end, Masai was heading home at around 7pm  in the company of a friend when he was shot in the knee outside Hilton Hotel along Moi Avenue by a rogue cop using live rounds.

The bullet remained lodged in his body until he passed away from excessive bleeding.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, DPP Ingonga noted that Masai's friend, who informed the deceased's parents of his shooting, has yet to record a statement on the same with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) which is probing the incident.

According to Ingonga, the testimony is vital since the CCTV footage capturing the incident does not clearly show Masai's killer.

"I call upon any person with information pertaining to this case especially the witnesses who took the deceased to hospital and those who witnessed the shooting to come and record a statement with IPOA," said the DPP.

Furthermore, 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 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.

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 cannister 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.

In Obonyo's case, the DPP noted that he would review the case once the investigations file is resubmitted with the ballistics report.

"To date, the investigations have not found any person culpable," he said.

The DPP  further directed IPOA to launch a probe into the shooting of Mediamax journalist Catherine Njeri Wariuki while covering anti-government protests in Nakuru las week.

He also revealed that his office is currently working on 19 cases pending in court involving the murders of Kenyans by police.