One year ago, on June 20, 2024, the streets of Nairobi bore witness to the tragic loss of young lives, including Rex Kanyike Masai, during the powerful Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill. As his family prepares to mark the painful first anniversary of his death, the quest for justice remains agonizingly slow, marred by denials and a perceived lack of accountability from law enforcement.
In a profound call to action, Rex Masai's mother has urged all Gen Zs and citizens to join her on June 25, 2025, in a commemorative march to the very spot where her son fell. This march is not just a remembrance; it is a renewed demand for justice for all the young Kenyans who died under police brutality during those historic demonstrations.
The Inquest Continues: Police Deny Fatal Shots
The inquest into Rex Masai's death continues, seeking to establish the circumstances that led to his fatal shooting. However, recent testimonies have raised more questions than answers for the grieving families.
Former Central Police Commander Dorris Mugambi, now the Kiambu County Commander, testified in court this week, emphatically distancing the police from Rex Masai's fatal shooting. Mugambi stated that "no police officer can be held accountable for the actions of another" and insisted that no police station under Nairobi's jurisdiction used live ammunition during the protests of June 2024.
According to Mugambi, individual Officers Commanding Stations (OCSs) from Central, Kamukunji, Ngara, KICC, and Parliament police stations were solely responsible for operational decisions on that day. She further complicated matters by claiming that no formal deployment was made, as the protests were spontaneous and unexpected.
In a particularly contentious assertion, Mugambi suggested that the fatal shot may not have originated from a police officer, implying the possibility of another armed party's involvement. "We don't enjoy the monopoly of having firearms… not unless you tell me with certainty that this bullet came from an officer," she noted. When questioned about Isaiah Murangiri, the officer widely linked to the shooting (who has since denied involvement), Mugambi claimed she could not be expected to know all junior officers, stating, "The junior officers are not under my command."
Her testimony, however, contrasts sharply with eyewitness accounts and reports from human rights organizations that documented widespread use of live ammunition and excessive force by police during the 2024 protests. The inquest is scheduled to resume on July 16th, with 10 more witnesses expected to testify, hopefully shedding more light on the truth.
Rex Masai: A Symbol of Sacrificed Youth
Rex Kanyike Masai, barely an adult, became a tragic symbol of the courage and vulnerability of the Kenyan youth who dared to speak truth to power. His death, among many others, sparked a nationwide outcry and solidified the #RejectFinanceBill2024 movement. As his family prepares to mark the first anniversary of his death, their pain is still raw, compounded by the ongoing struggle for official acknowledgment and accountability.
His mother, a figure of strength and sorrow, has urged the court to expedite proceedings, emphasizing the family's desire for closure and justice as they face this painful milestone.
A Mother's Call to Action: The June 25th Commemoration March
In a powerful demonstration of resilience and a continued demand for accountability, Rex Masai's mother has issued a heartfelt appeal to all Kenyans, particularly the Gen Z generation, to join her on Tuesday, June 25, 2025.
The planned march will proceed to the street where Rex Masai tragically lost his life. This solemn gathering will be a "justice-seeking" march, a collective prayer for the souls of those lost, and a firm statement that their sacrifices will not be forgotten. Participants will carry flowers to plant and engage in prayers at Parliament, a symbolic act of reclaiming the space where their voices were heard and violently silenced.
"Many parents got affected, many lost their children under police brutality during the demonstrations," she stated, extending her call to all who have suffered similar losses. The meeting will begin early, a testament to the urgency and deep emotional resonance of the occasion. This march serves as a poignant reminder that while the Finance Bill 2025 has seen some clauses dropped, the fundamental issues of police accountability and respect for human life remain paramount.
Justice for All: A Movement That Continues
The anniversary of the 2024 protests and the ongoing inquest into Rex Masai's death underscore a broader national reckoning with police brutality in Kenya. From the recent shooting of mask vendor Boniface Mwangi Kariuki to the contentious death of Albert Ojwang in police custody, the pattern of excessive force against citizens continues to fuel public demands for genuine police reform and accountability.
The June 25th march is not merely an act of remembrance; it is a renewed commitment from the youth and affected families to ensure that the lives lost were not in vain. It is a powerful message to those in authority that transparency, due process, and respect for human life are non-negotiable pillars of a just society.
