Julian Manya, the mother of 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai, who was fatally shot by a police officer during protests against the Finance Bill 2024 in Nairobi CBD, has shared her profound sorrow and grief over the loss of her son.
Speaking at the City Mortuary, she said that she received the news of her son being shot at around 7 pm but he was already dead when she got to the CBD.
Additionally, she said that her son was on his way from work when he was caught in the melee in town.
Rex and his friend promised to locate each other at the Afya Centre building in case they lost each other in the crowd.
“I received a phone call at around 7PM yesterday and was informed that my son had been shot on his left leg. He was rushed to Bliss hospital in the CBD by his friends. But by the time I got to town, he was gone.
“The friend told me that they were on their way to town from work and because they were in the protest, they were worried that they would lose each other in the crowd,” she narrated.
Also Read: Video Reveals Last Moments of Rex Masai, Shot in CBD
Rex Was Running for His Life
While Rex and his friend were making their way through town, a police officer lobbed a tear gas canister causing commotion as everyone was running for their lives.
The 29-year-old lost his friend as they ran for safety and was shot on the leg by a police officer.
When the dust settled, well-wishers and friends ran towards him when they saw him bleeding on the ground. Immediately, they called an officer who was standing close by.
“However, as they walked through town, a teargas canister was thrown, and they found themselves with a group of other youths who were running for their lives. That is where he was shot,
“His friends had to run for their lives too, so they did not notice that he was hurt immediately. They came back and asked an officer to help them rush him to hospital,” she explained.
The officer refuse to offer any help, leaving Rex helpless and bleeding on the ground. He was rushed to Bliss Hospital.
According to the friend, Alex, the hospital delayed in opening their doors because of fear that they were protestors being chased by the police.
He was shot around 7:00 pm and declared dead at 7:38 pm.
Also Read: In pictures: How Gen Z-Led Anti-Finance Bill Protests Went Down
Video Reveals Last Moments During Protest
A video footage recorded by a citizen showed a crowd running away from police officers at around 7 PM in the evening in Nairobi CBD.
Moments later, a plain clothed police officer is seen pulling out a gun and firing a shot at the group of youth.
The officer was in the company of other policemen who were dispersing the group.
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