The echoes of last year's powerful Gen Z protests in Kenya still resonate, particularly with the tragic death of Rex Masai, whose killing ignited a national outcry. The ongoing inquest into his demise has recently unveiled a concerning pattern of denials from the accused police officer, Isaiah Murangiri, even as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) presents what it deems to be irrefutable evidence. Compounding the complexity, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has offered insights into the significant hurdles that have plagued their own investigation.
Officer Murangiri's Steadfast Denials Amidst Convincing Evidence
On Wednesday, the IPOA laid out a compelling case, presenting a range of evidence meticulously gathered to place Police Officer Isaiah Murangiri directly at the scene where Rex Masai was fatally shot. This included photographic records, which allegedly depicted Murangiri firing a tear gas canister at protesters on June 18th, just two days before Masai's death, along with corroborating video footage. Furthermore, phone records were tabled, indicating Murangiri's proximity to the incident on the very day of Rex Masai's shooting.
Despite this seemingly robust presentation, Officer Murangiri remained unyielding in his repudiations. When confronted with images allegedly showing him, even those highlighting a distinctive birthmark on his face for comparison, his unwavering response was, "I'm not the one." This steadfast denial persisted even when the examiner pressed him, asking if he saw the mark when looking in the mirror.
His testimony also directly contradicted earlier statements he had made, where he claimed to have been off-duty on June 18th and stationed at KICC on the day of Rex Masai's shooting. The examiner's pointed question, "Although you say that it is not you, this person that bears a resemblance to you — why would you lie to this court that you were at KICC?" was met with Murangiri's firm declaration, "Your honour, I'm saying the truth. I'm not lying to this court." The visual comparisons extended to African art visible on the wrist of the individual in the photographs, which was juxtaposed with Murangiri's own wrist, yet he continued to dismiss any connection.
In light of these developments, presiding Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo has issued directives for Corporal Martin Githinji, Constable Simon Waweru, and Constable Geoffrey Mbae, all from Central Police Station, to make themselves available to IPOA. Moreover, a crucial order has been made for the original arms register to be supplied to the investigative team. This procedural step follows the confirmation from Paul Njihia, Assistant Director of Forensics at IPOA, that the pathologist's report conclusively showed Rex Masai was killed by a live bullet.
The DCI's Narrative: Investigatory Challenges and Surprising Gaps
Adding another dimension to the unfolding inquest, Tiberius Ekisa, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Officer in charge of Nairobi Central, presented his testimony on Thursday. Ekisa recounted being informed of Rex's death at 7:45 PM on June 20th last year through a phone call from Bliss Hospital, prompting him to dispatch officers to identify the deceased and transport his body to the City Mortuary.
However, Ekisa detailed a series of significant challenges that impeded their initial investigation. He stated that members of the public who brought Rex to the hospital were uncooperative, often directing the DCI to IPOA, and Bliss Hospital itself did not provide the names of those who transported the deceased. Furthermore, critical CCTV cameras at Jogoo House were reportedly non-operational due to ongoing fibre repairs, and requests for footage from Reinsurance Plaza also yielded no results. Adding to these difficulties, officers sent to the presumed shooting location were unable to recover any bullets.
Perhaps the most astonishing revelation from Ekisa's testimony was his explicit denial of knowing Isaiah Murangiri, despite having 108 officers under his command and conducting weekly meetings. When directly asked if he was acquainted with Murangiri, Ekisa unequivocally stated, "I don't know him." This statement raises profound questions, especially given Murangiri's central role as a key suspect in the inquest.
Ekisa concluded his testimony by explaining that he forwarded his investigation file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on October 11, 2024, but that file has not yet been returned. He also noted that a toxicology report is still outstanding and firmly denied issuing any "shoot-to-kill orders" during the protests.
The Enduring Quest for Justice
The ongoing inquest into Rex Masai's death starkly highlights the persistent demand for police accountability in Kenya. The glaring discrepancy between the tangible evidence presented by IPOA and Murangiri's unwavering denials creates a challenging landscape for the pursuit of truth. Coupled with the DCI's documented investigatory hurdles and the DCI officer's surprising lack of knowledge regarding the main suspect, the path to justice appears fraught with obstacles.
As the inquest prepares to resume on July 23rd, the nation's attention will undoubtedly remain fixed on the proceedings, with a collective hope that clarity will emerge and justice will ultimately be served for Rex Masai and his grieving family.
