Probe into killing of Rex Masai during anti-Finance Bill protests launched

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) disclosed Friday morning that it has commenced investigations into the killing of a young Kenyan, Rex Masai, during mass protests on Thursday.

IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori confirmed that the Authority has documented the death of Masai allegedly as a result of police shooting alongside several serious injuries suffered by other demonstrators.

“The Authority has this morning launched investigations into the fatal shooting and our investigation team has since established contact with the family of Mr. Masai all the serious injury incidents documented during the demonstrations,” she said

Makori appealed to the police to exercise restraint when dealing with unarmed members of the public during peaceful demonstrations.

The demonstrations, largely spearheaded by youthful Kenyans, were sparked off by the contentious Finance Bill 2024 said to contain punitive tax proposals and which has since been approved by a majority of Members of Parliament to proceed to the next stage.