Witness Testifies Police Blocked Rescue Efforts For Critically Wounded Rex Masai During Anti Finance Bill Protests
Quote from Lawyer on March 31, 2026, 6:44 amA witness has told a Nairobi court that police officers blocked attempts to rescue Rex Kanyike Masai as he lay critically injured after being shot during anti Finance Bill protests in the capital.
George Ndikas, who was Masai's colleague and roommate, gave the testimony during the ongoing inquest into the death. He stated that he was with Masai from the start of the events on June 20, 2024. The pair walked from Highrise to the Nairobi central business district to join the demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
Ndikas explained that neither he nor Masai carried any weapons. They only had Masai's phone with them. As the protests turned chaotic, the two attempted to flee from advancing police. That was when Ndikas noticed Masai limping.
When Ndikas asked what was wrong, Masai replied in Swahili, "Nimeshootiwa," meaning "I have been shot." His trousers were soaked in blood. Masai was in severe pain, crying, and soon collapsed on the ground.
According to the witness, police officers chased away people who tried to help the wounded man. This action prevented immediate access to a vehicle or medical assistance at the scene. Ndikas said it became difficult to get help right away because of the police presence.
Good Samaritans eventually assisted, and Masai was rushed to Bliss Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A police officer attached to the crime scene unit also testified in court. The officer confirmed observing a visible bullet wound on Masai's left thigh. The officer presented 36 photographs of the body as exhibits in the inquest. The court directed that these images should not be released to the public due to their graphic nature. The officer did not state the official cause of death.
The inquest into Rex Kanyike Masai's death continues in the Nairobi court. The events form part of the broader protests against the Finance Bill 2024 that took place in Nairobi on that day, during which police were accused of firing live bullets at demonstrators.
A witness has told a Nairobi court that police officers blocked attempts to rescue Rex Kanyike Masai as he lay critically injured after being shot during anti Finance Bill protests in the capital.
George Ndikas, who was Masai's colleague and roommate, gave the testimony during the ongoing inquest into the death. He stated that he was with Masai from the start of the events on June 20, 2024. The pair walked from Highrise to the Nairobi central business district to join the demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
Ndikas explained that neither he nor Masai carried any weapons. They only had Masai's phone with them. As the protests turned chaotic, the two attempted to flee from advancing police. That was when Ndikas noticed Masai limping.
When Ndikas asked what was wrong, Masai replied in Swahili, "Nimeshootiwa," meaning "I have been shot." His trousers were soaked in blood. Masai was in severe pain, crying, and soon collapsed on the ground.
According to the witness, police officers chased away people who tried to help the wounded man. This action prevented immediate access to a vehicle or medical assistance at the scene. Ndikas said it became difficult to get help right away because of the police presence.
Good Samaritans eventually assisted, and Masai was rushed to Bliss Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
A police officer attached to the crime scene unit also testified in court. The officer confirmed observing a visible bullet wound on Masai's left thigh. The officer presented 36 photographs of the body as exhibits in the inquest. The court directed that these images should not be released to the public due to their graphic nature. The officer did not state the official cause of death.
The inquest into Rex Kanyike Masai's death continues in the Nairobi court. The events form part of the broader protests against the Finance Bill 2024 that took place in Nairobi on that day, during which police were accused of firing live bullets at demonstrators.