Revision as of 14:09, 17 July 2025

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The late Rex Kanyike Masai enjoying himself during Christmas holidays. Photo: Boniface Mwangi Read more Read more: https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/family/552733-rex-kanyeki-5-touching-photos-24-year-activist-died-demos/

The late Rex Kanyike Masai with his dear mum.

Shot that killed Rex https://www.citizen.digital/news/no-officer-in-nairobi-used-live-bullets-former-central-police-commander-tells-court-on-rex-masai-murder-n364936.

Rex Kanyike Masai (1994–2024)

Early Life

Rex Masai was born in 1994 and grew up in Nairobi. After studying architecture, he worked in Nairobi 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 in Machakos County. His casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, was carried by family, friends ^[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, **Chief Inspector Moses Mutai Shikuku**, then Officer Commanding Station of Central Police Station, told the inquest that none of his officers had fired live rounds during the protests that night, stating that “not a single ammunition was fired out of the 208 firearms issued to police officers.”^[13]

Aftermath and Public Reaction

**#TotalShutdown**: Gen Z protesters launched a one-week campaign starting June 21, 2024.^[14]

**Human Rights Concerns**: Amnesty International and IPOA flagged excessive force evidence and spent cartridges.^[15]^[16]

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
26 Jul 2024	Family alleges witness intimidation & evidence tampering
13 Mar 2025	Inquest reveals officer testimony on live rounds

Tribute

⚠️ To Rex Masai,
You marched with nothing but a flag, a phone, and the courage to dream of a better Kenya.

You stood unarmed, unshaken, and unafraid — not for yourself, but for all of us.

They tried to silence you with a bullet, but your name echoes louder in our hearts than their guns ever could.

You are not just a victim — you are a symbol.

We march now with your memory on our backs, with justice in our chants, and with hope in our hearts.

Rex, your blood watered the tree of freedom. We will not let it die in vain.

We will never forget you brother. ✊🏾🖤

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] Nation – 'No bullet spent on protesters the day activist died', ex‑OCS tells court

[14] Nation – Family demands justice

[15] Nation – Use of live rounds

[16] IPOA launches probe – Nation

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 * **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>
+* **Ex-OCS Testimony**: In March 2025, **Chief Inspector Moses Mutai Shikuku**, then Officer Commanding Station of Central Police Station, told the inquest that none of his officers had fired live rounds during the protests that night, stating that “not a single ammunition was fired out of the 208 firearms issued to police officers.”<ref>[https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/rex-masai-inquest-no-bullet-spent-on-protesters-the-day-activist-died-ex-ocs-tells-court Nation – 'No bullet spent on protesters the day activist died', ex‑OCS tells court]</ref>
 == Aftermath and Public Reaction ==