President William Ruto has issued a personal apology to the family of Rex Masai, who died during anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi in June 2024.
Prof. Makau Mutua, chairperson of the Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Protests and Riots, visited Masai’s mother at her home in Kayole on Thursday to deliver the message directly on behalf of the Head of State.
The panel confirmed the visit, noting that it conveyed both the president’s personal remorse and an official statement of regret from the government.
“Prof. Makau Mutua, Chair of the Panel, and the Panel members paid a visit to Mama Rex Masai in Kayole today, delivering the President’s personal apology as well as the State’s to the family for their loss,” the panel said.
Representatives from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) accompanied the delegation. According to the panel, the outreach highlighted the critical need for justice, healing, national reconciliation, and the ongoing victim compensation process. The panel did not disclose whether Masai’s family has received financial compensation under the government program.
During the same outreach, the delegation also extended an apology to Nigel Oduor Otieno in Mathare. Otieno sustained injuries during the 2023 cost-of-living demonstrations.
Masai’s death during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations quickly turned into a national symbol of the grave risks surrounding public demonstrations and the steep hurdles to holding law enforcement accountable for alleged abuses. His fatal shooting sparked widespread public outrage and energized calls across Kenya for systemic police reform.
Investigation efforts faced immediate hurdles. A month after the incident, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions revealed that investigators could not identify the shooter because available CCTV footage lacked clarity. The prosecution appealed to the public for leads, but the absence of a prime suspect only heightened demands for answers.
A court recently concluded the formal inquest into Masai’s death. Over the course of the inquiry, which spanned two years, prosecutors presented 30 witnesses and submitted 48 exhibits to the court.
Following the close of oral evidence, the involved parties filed written submissions. Magistrate Onsarigo is reviewing the full record of evidence, including forensic reports, witness statements, and CCTV footage, before issuing a final judicial determination on the circumstances surrounding Masai’s death.
The post Ruto Apologises to Rex Masai’s Family Over Fatal 2024 Protest Shooting appeared first on Bossnana.
