Revision as of 00:03, 16 July 2025

Young Kenyan protesters hold a Kenyan flag over the body of a fellow youth killed

Rex Kanyike Masai (1994–2024)

Early Life

Rex Masai was born in 1994 and grew up in Nairobi. After studying architecture, he worked at a local casino to support his family. Loved by those close to him, he was described as calm, thoughtful, and a dedicated provider to his parents, Gillian Munyao and Chrispine Odawa.^[1]

Death During Protests

On **June 20, 2024**, during anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi’s CBD, Rex was shot in the left thigh allegedly by police using live ammunition. He bled to death before arriving at the hospital.^[2]^[3]

Burial

Rex was laid to rest on **July 5, 2024**, at Kamuthanga Secondary School in Machakos County. His casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, was carried by family, friends, and public figures including MP Babu Owino, Senator Edwin Sifuna, and activist Boniface Mwangi.^[4]

Family’s Grief and Quest for Justice

His mother, Gillian Munyao, said:

> “The gap my son has left will never be filled… let the policeman be humane during the protests.”^[5]^[6]

His father, Chrispine Odawa, added:

> “My prayer is that the policeman who did this to my son will be arrested. Let justice be done.”^[7]

Concerns of witness intimidation and missing bullet evidence were raised by the family.^[8]

Legal Status & Proceedings

**IPOA Investigation**: Opened a probe into Rex's shooting, urging police restraint.^[9]^[10]
**DPP Statement**: Identified the killer bullet but cited lack of clear CCTV and witnesses.^[11]
**LSK Lawsuit**: The Law Society sued a police officer and sought protections against plainclothes policing following Rex's death.^[12]
**Ex-OCS Testimony**: In March 2025, a senior officer testified no live rounds were fired by his team that night.^[13]

Aftermath and Public Reaction

**#TotalShutdown**: Gen Z protesters launched a one-week campaign starting June 21, 2024.^[14]
**Family Support**: MP Babu Owino donated KSh 200,000; Senator Sifuna and Governor Ndeti also offered assistance.^[15]
**Human Rights Concerns**: Amnesty International and IPOA flagged excessive force evidence and spent cartridges.^[16]^[17]

Timeline Summary

Date	Event
20 Jun 2024	Rex shot in thigh during protests
21 Jun 2024	Post‑mortem confirms excessive bleeding; probe launched
26 Jun 2024	#TotalShutdown campaign begins
5 Jul 2024	Burial at Kamuthanga, led by public figures
26 Jul 2024	Family alleges witness intimidation & evidence tampering
13 Mar 2025	Inquest reveals officer testimony on live rounds

References

[1] Nation – What went wrong?

[2] BBC – Anger after protester shot dead

[3] Excessive bleeding confirmed – Daily Nation

[4] Nation – Family demands justice

[5] Nation – Family demands justice

[6] Excessive bleeding confirmed – Daily Nation

[7] Nation – Family demands justice

[8] Kenyans.co.ke – Cover-up alleged

[9] IPOA launches probe – Nation

[10] CNN – Police under investigation

[11] Kenyans.co.ke – DPP on missing evidence

[12] LSK sues – Daily Nation

[13] The Star – Inquest testimony

[14] Nation – Family demands justice

[15] Nation – Family demands justice

[16] Nation – Use of live rounds

[17] IPOA launches probe – Nation

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Rex-legacy.jpg|thumb|Young Kenyan protesters hold a Kenyan flag over the body of a fellow youth killed]]
+= Rex Kanyike Masai (1994–2024) =
+== Early Life ==
+Rex Masai was born in 1994 and grew up in Nairobi. After studying architecture, he worked at a local casino to support his family. Loved by those close to him, he was described as calm, thoughtful, and a dedicated provider to his parents, Gillian Munyao and Chrispine Odawa.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/rex-masai-what-went-wrong-mystery-of-night-bullet-that-claimed-young-life Nation – What went wrong?]</ref>
+== Death During Protests ==
+On **June 20, 2024**, during anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi’s CBD, Rex was shot in the left thigh allegedly by police using live ammunition. He bled to death before arriving at the hospital.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnkk53097leo BBC – Anger after protester shot dead]</ref><ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/excessive-bleeding-from-gunshot-post-mortem-reveals-how-rex-masai-died-4665198 Excessive bleeding confirmed – Daily Nation]</ref>
+== Burial ==
+Rex was laid to rest on **July 5, 2024**, at Kamuthanga Secondary School in Machakos County. His casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, was carried by family, friends, and public figures including MP Babu Owino, Senator Edwin Sifuna, and activist Boniface Mwangi.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/we-want-justice-for-our-son-says-rex-masais-family--4665968 Nation – Family demands justice]</ref>
+== Family’s Grief and Quest for Justice ==
+His mother, Gillian Munyao, said:
+> “The gap my son has left will never be filled… let the policeman be humane during the protests.”<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/we-want-justice-for-our-son-says-rex-masais-family--4665968 Nation – Family demands justice]</ref><ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/excessive-bleeding-from-gunshot-post-mortem-reveals-how-rex-masai-died-4665198 Excessive bleeding confirmed – Daily Nation]</ref>
+His father, Chrispine Odawa, added:
+> “My prayer is that the policeman who did this to my son will be arrested. Let justice be done.”<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/we-want-justice-for-our-son-says-rex-masais-family--4665968 Nation – Family demands justice]</ref>
+Concerns of witness intimidation and missing bullet evidence were raised by the family.<ref>[https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/103168-rex-masais-family-accuses-police-cover-sons-death Kenyans.co.ke – Cover-up alleged]</ref>
+== Legal Status & Proceedings ==
+* **IPOA Investigation**: Opened a probe into Rex's shooting, urging police restraint.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/ipoa-to-investigate-shooting-of-anti-tax-protester-rex-masai-4664850 IPOA launches probe – Nation]</ref><ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/21/africa/kenya-investigating-death-of-protester-intl/index.html CNN – Police under investigation]</ref>
+* **DPP Statement**: Identified the killer bullet but cited lack of clear CCTV and witnesses.<ref>[https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/103168-rex-masais-family-accuses-police-cover-sons-death Kenyans.co.ke – DPP on missing evidence]</ref>
+* **LSK Lawsuit**: The Law Society sued a police officer and sought protections against plainclothes policing following Rex's death.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/lsk-sues-police-officer-over-death-of-rex-masai-during-tax-protests-4664700 LSK sues – Daily Nation]</ref>
+* **Ex-OCS Testimony**: In March 2025, a senior officer testified no live rounds were fired by his team that night.<ref>[https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-03-13-rex-masai-inquest-rider-says-cop-told-protester-to-let-gunshot-victim-die The Star – Inquest testimony]</ref>
+== Aftermath and Public Reaction ==
+* **#TotalShutdown**: Gen Z protesters launched a one-week campaign starting June 21, 2024.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/we-want-justice-for-our-son-says-rex-masais-family--4665968 Nation – Family demands justice]</ref>
+* **Family Support**: MP Babu Owino donated KSh 200,000; Senator Sifuna and Governor Ndeti also offered assistance.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/we-want-justice-for-our-son-says-rex-masais-family--4665968 Nation – Family demands justice]</ref>
+* **Human Rights Concerns**: Amnesty International and IPOA flagged excessive force evidence and spent cartridges.<ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/rex-masai-what-went-wrong-mystery-of-night-bullet-that-claimed-young-life-4664960 Nation – Use of live rounds]</ref><ref>[https://nation.africa/kenya/news/ipoa-to-investigate-shooting-of-anti-tax-protester-rex-masai-4664850 IPOA launches probe – Nation]</ref>
+== Timeline Summary ==
+{| class="wikitable"
+! Date !! Event
+|-
+| 20 Jun 2024 || Rex shot in thigh during protests
+|-
+| 21 Jun 2024 || Post‑mortem confirms excessive bleeding; probe launched
+|-
+| 26 Jun 2024 || #TotalShutdown campaign begins
+|-
+| 5 Jul 2024 || Burial at Kamuthanga, led by public figures
+|-
+| 26 Jul 2024 || Family alleges witness intimidation & evidence tampering
+|-
+| 13 Mar 2025 || Inquest reveals officer testimony on live rounds
+|}
+== References ==
+<references />