Chaos Erupts at Rex Masai Inquest as Activist Demands Justice
Quote from Lawyer on May 12, 2025, 5:40 pmThe inquest into the death of Rex Kanyike Masai, a 29-year-old activist fatally shot during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, descended into chaos at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday. The proceedings were disrupted when an activist stood up, chanting demands for justice, halting the session and drawing attention to the ongoing quest for accountability in Masai’s killing.
The disruption occurred shortly after Fredrick Otieno, an ICT engineer and Utawala resident, concluded his testimony. Otieno recounted witnessing plainclothes officers firing live ammunition into a crowd of demonstrators near City Hall on June 20, 2024, around 6:50 PM. He described a chaotic scene at the intersection of Mama Ngina Street and Wabera Street, where police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protesters. Otieno’s account aligns with earlier testimonies, including that of Mekatilili Mweru, who in March 2025 recalled hearing an officer shout, “Muwacheni akufe” (let him die) as Masai lay bleeding from a gunshot wound to the thigh.
Masai, a Gen-Z protester, was killed during demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024 in Nairobi’s Central Business District. His death, the first reported fatality of the youth-led protests, sparked nationwide outrage and calls for justice. According to a pathologist’s report, Masai died from excessive bleeding after being shot. His mother, Gillian Munyao, has repeatedly stated that her son was unarmed, carrying only his national ID and phone, and was evading tear gas when he was struck.
The inquest, which began in December 2024, has faced challenges, including witness intimidation and conflicting police testimonies. Earlier this year, police officer Isaiah Muragiri, a key suspect, denied involvement despite phone data placing him near the scene. Former Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei also claimed no shots were fired by officers, suggesting private gun owners might be responsible. However, CCTV footage presented in February 2025 allegedly showed plainclothes officers firing at protesters, contradicting police accounts.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), representing Masai’s family, has been vocal in condemning police brutality. In April 2025, the LSK won a case to curb the use of plainclothes officers in protest policing, citing Masai’s killing as a catalyst. Lawyer Mwangi Chege, representing the family, emphasized their commitment to ensuring no security officer uses live bullets against unarmed protesters, a right enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution.
Monday’s disruption underscores the deep frustration among activists and Masai’s family, who fear justice remains
System: elusive. Gillian Munyao previously alleged that the officer who shot her son extracted the bullet at the morgue to conceal evidence, further eroding trust in the investigation. Social media posts on X reflect ongoing public anger, with users demanding accountability and sharing footage purportedly showing the shooting.
The inquest has been adjourned to a later date, with the court expected to hear additional witnesses, including an armourer who may clarify how firearms were handled on the day of the incident. As the case continues, Masai’s death remains a rallying cry for Kenya’s youth, who see his killing as emblematic of excessive police force against peaceful dissent.
The inquest into the death of Rex Kanyike Masai, a 29-year-old activist fatally shot during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, descended into chaos at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday. The proceedings were disrupted when an activist stood up, chanting demands for justice, halting the session and drawing attention to the ongoing quest for accountability in Masai’s killing.
The disruption occurred shortly after Fredrick Otieno, an ICT engineer and Utawala resident, concluded his testimony. Otieno recounted witnessing plainclothes officers firing live ammunition into a crowd of demonstrators near City Hall on June 20, 2024, around 6:50 PM. He described a chaotic scene at the intersection of Mama Ngina Street and Wabera Street, where police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protesters. Otieno’s account aligns with earlier testimonies, including that of Mekatilili Mweru, who in March 2025 recalled hearing an officer shout, “Muwacheni akufe” (let him die) as Masai lay bleeding from a gunshot wound to the thigh.
Masai, a Gen-Z protester, was killed during demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024 in Nairobi’s Central Business District. His death, the first reported fatality of the youth-led protests, sparked nationwide outrage and calls for justice. According to a pathologist’s report, Masai died from excessive bleeding after being shot. His mother, Gillian Munyao, has repeatedly stated that her son was unarmed, carrying only his national ID and phone, and was evading tear gas when he was struck.
The inquest, which began in December 2024, has faced challenges, including witness intimidation and conflicting police testimonies. Earlier this year, police officer Isaiah Muragiri, a key suspect, denied involvement despite phone data placing him near the scene. Former Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei also claimed no shots were fired by officers, suggesting private gun owners might be responsible. However, CCTV footage presented in February 2025 allegedly showed plainclothes officers firing at protesters, contradicting police accounts.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), representing Masai’s family, has been vocal in condemning police brutality. In April 2025, the LSK won a case to curb the use of plainclothes officers in protest policing, citing Masai’s killing as a catalyst. Lawyer Mwangi Chege, representing the family, emphasized their commitment to ensuring no security officer uses live bullets against unarmed protesters, a right enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution.
Monday’s disruption underscores the deep frustration among activists and Masai’s family, who fear justice remains
System: elusive. Gillian Munyao previously alleged that the officer who shot her son extracted the bullet at the morgue to conceal evidence, further eroding trust in the investigation. Social media posts on X reflect ongoing public anger, with users demanding accountability and sharing footage purportedly showing the shooting.
The inquest has been adjourned to a later date, with the court expected to hear additional witnesses, including an armourer who may clarify how firearms were handled on the day of the incident. As the case continues, Masai’s death remains a rallying cry for Kenya’s youth, who see his killing as emblematic of excessive police force against peaceful dissent.