The late Kanyike only had his phone and identification card, and thus was not armed.
Social-political activist, Boniface Mwangi on Friday, June 21 uncovered new details regarding the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Rex Kanyike Masai on Thursday evening during protests against Finance Bill 2024 in Nairobi City’s Central Business District (CBD).
According to Mwangi’s statement on his social media platforms, the late Kanyike only had his phone and identification card, and thus was not armed.
The ID card served as a precaution as he knew he would be subjected to harassment by Kenya Police in the event he did not have an ID.
“After the police shot him, his friend Alex, asked the police to help carry him, they told him “Wacha akufe! (let him die)”,” he narrated in part.
Collage of the late Rex Kanyike Masai and a plainclothes police officer opening fire at protesters on June 20, 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE
He added that a bystander came to the rescue of Kanyike who was bleeding profusely, in attempts to rush him for emergency medical attention.
Unfortunately, Kanyike was declared dead on arrival at the hospital that was only a few metres away from the scene of the shooting.
“His friend Alex says the hospital didn’t even want to open the doors because they thought it was protestors being chased by the police. They took their time. He was shot around 7:00 pm and declared dead at 7:38 pm,” he added.
Meanwhile, his mother, Gillian Munyao, revealed that the deceased was from work and in the company of his friend, and they were both running errands in town. According to her, the son was standing near Nairobi Archives when a teargas canister was thrown near the area, the choking fumes forcing them to run.
In the process, a police officer captured on video wearing plain clothes fired a shot that hit him on his left thigh, causing him to fall.
“The friend says that they were standing near archives and a teargas canister was launched in their direction. However, when they were running he was shot.
“When the police left, the friend went to check on him. They even called the police to help them when the officer stated that they should leave him to die there,” she narrated.
On the other hand, she detailed that she received information about the son’s shooting some minutes past 7 pm, but was unable to see his son while still alive as she was informed of his death when she got to town
The police officer who allegedly fired the shot is yet to be arrested, amidst growing calls for accountability from the police and the government.
The case has since drawn the attention of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) which launched investigations into the shooting which sparked uproar as late as Thursday night.
