Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has issued a clarification on the case of a police officer who was captured on camera shooting at demonstrators on several occasions during the anti-government protests.
Kenyans on social media marked one police officer in civilian clothes and started circulating videos showing him shooting tear gas canisters directly at protesters.
Rex Masai shooting
The said officer was also captured on camera shooting at the protesters during the Thursday, June 20, 2024, protests, a bullet that is believed to have claimed the life of Rex Kanyike Masai.
While responding to a video shared by a netizen on Friday, July 19, 2024, questioning the National Police Service on why the said officer has not been arrested, IPOA said it has already forwarded his file to the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The police watchdog also noted that the file of the officer in question had been forwarded to the ODPP alongside several others.
“IPOA sent this officer’s file and others to the ODPP. Thanks,” IPOA said.
IPOA sent this officer’s file and others to the ODPP. Thanks ^SC
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) July 19, 2024
IPOA on files forwarded to ODPP
On July 17, 2024, IPOA in an update issued through their official X account said four files of police officers had been forwarded to the ODPP with various recommendations.
“IPOA status update towards the Anti-Finance Bill demos; 4 case files forwarded to the ODPP with various recommendations, medical records obtained from KNH for all victims attended to at the hospital, medical records obtained from other hospitals across the country, key witness statements obtained for most of the cases,” IPOA stated.
IPOA status update towards the Anti-Finance Bill demos;
1. 4 case files forwarded to the @ODPP_KE with various recommendations.
2. Medical records obtained from @KNH_hospital for all victims attended to at the hospital. 1/2— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) July 17, 2024
Officers shooting on camera
In the videos that have been doing rounds on social media since the onset of the Gen Z-led anti-finance Bill, 2024, and subsequent anti-government protests, the police officer in question has also been captured injuring a journalist by shooting a tear gas cannister directly to his body.
When President William Ruto hosted X Spaces to engage the Gen Zs over their grievances, Kenyans raised concerns about the same officer, with the Head of State promising that all cases of police brutality will be investigated.
Early this month, IPOA revealed that they had monitored police conduct during public order management exercises in the protests and were investigating 39 deaths, 150 serious injuries, and 7 abductions across the country.
In a subsequent update, IPOA called for those who witnessed the fatal shooting of Rex Masai to volunteer information.
Masai sustained bullet wound to his thigh and was rushed to Bliss Hospital on Moi Avenue, where he passed away moments later due to excessive bleeding.