The Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) has issued a preliminary report into the investigations of two deaths that occurred following the Thursday, June 20, 2024 protests.
IPOA in a statement on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, gave an update on the investigation its has been carrying out into the death of Rex Masai and Evans Kiratu, who lost their lives as a result of the said protests.
In the statement, the police watchdog said that it had launched investigations in into various incidents that occurred across the country during the Anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
IPOA on Rex Masai death
In the fatal shooting of Rex Masai, IPOA says it has so far attended the post-mortem and obtained the report on the cause of death.
“The Authority launched investigations into the death of Mr. Masai which was allegedly caused by police shooting on 20th June 2024 in Nairobi County,” part of the IPOA preliminary report reads.
The authority in its preliminary report says it has also recorded witness statements.
IPOA has also visited and documented the crime scene including collection of evidence. It has also obtained CCTV and other video footage of the incident.
IPOA says it has also obtained necessary police documents, summoned various officers to record statements, and submitted various samples for forensic and ballistics analysis.
The only pending tasks on the Rex Masai death investigation are obtaining expert reports, recording more witness accounts and investigation report compilation.
IPOA on Evans Kiratu’s death
IPOA has also given an update on its investigations into the death of Evans Kiratu, a protester who also died after being hit by a teargas canister during the Anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations.
Evans died on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Kenyatta National Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.
IPOA says it attended the post-mortem on Evans Kiratu’s body on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at KNH.
The authority also says it has recorded witness statements into the death and is currently establishing contacts and recording more witness accounts.
Further, IPOA says its Monitors observed and documented the fatal shooting of protesters in Nairobi County and other parts of the country, the shooting occasioning serious injuries to protesters in Nairobi and other parts of the country, Injuries suffered by both members of the public and police officers, and instances of excessive use of force by Police Officers against civilians.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed IPOA to investigate the deaths of Rex Masai and Evans Kiratu and submit its file within 21 days.
Before you go…how about joining our vibrant Telegram and WhatsApp channels for hotter stories?
Telegram: Telegram Channel
WhatsApp: WhatsApp Channel
