A video footage recorded by a citizen has revealed the last moments of Rex Kanyike Masai, a 29-year-old man who succumbed to a gunshot wound as he sustained while protesting against the Finance Bill 2024.
The video shows 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 a protestor, who was later identified as Rex.
Additionally, he was rushed to a nearby hospital by other protestors when they realized that he was injured. However, he was confirmed dead on arrival.
Preliminary examination by the doctors indicated that Rex was hit with a bullet in the thighs.
Also Read: LIVE UPDATES: Protestors Rushed to Hospital After Being Hit by Teargas Canister
Kenyans React After the Death of Rex Masai
Following the incident, screengrab images of the officer has been circulated online as angry Kenyans call for his identification and arrest.
Further, many have shared their messages of condolences including Narck Kenya Leader Martha Karua.
One of the organizers of the occupy parliament protest Boniface Mwangi announced the death of the protestor, indicating that his family had been contacted and were numb from the loss.
Mwangi said that the lifeless body of the protestor had been moved to City mortuary, where the parents had been called to identify it.
“I’m sharing pictures of 24-year-old Rex Kanyike lying in the morgue with consent from his parents, Chrispin Odawa, and Gillian Munyao who are standing over his body at the City mortuary.
“He was killed by the police this evening. They’re shocked and numb from the loss of their son,” said Mwangi.
Earlier, he had indicated that Nairobi Kenya Kwanza politicians had sent goons to loot premises in CBD to discredit Gen Z’s movement, calling the Inspector General of Police to take action.
“The same goons we were telling to stop throwing stones at around 5pm. We expect the inspector general of police to investigate and arrest those thieves. Business owners share your CCTV footage,” he said.
Also Read: Jalang’o, Passaris & Other MPs Who Have Rejected Finance Bill
Protest in Nairobi CBD
On Thursday evening, the Kenya Red Cross announced that at least eight people were in critical condition, without revealing the nature and degree of injuries:
“39 injured, with 8 in critical condition and 31 with minor injuries. Those in critical condition have been evacuated to Kenyatta National Hospital for further treatment, thanks to a multi-agency rescue team,” said the Kenya Red Cross.
Police officers were deployed in various parts of the country during the showdown as the youth took to the streets to protest against the Finance Bill 2024.
In Nairobi, two protestors were rushed to hospital after being shot by teargas canisters. The male victims were protesting along Kenyatta Avenue next to Equity bank when the incident occurred.
Following the incidents, a police commander asked fellow officer to stop using teargas and instead charge and disperse the crowd.
The protests continued until around 8 PM.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
