On Friday, June 21, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) initiated investigations into the shooting of a young protester, Rex Maasai, along Moi Avenue in Nairobi.
In an official statement, IPOA announced that an investigative team had promptly commenced a probe into the alleged shooting incident involving a police officer on Thursday, June 20.
The Authority further mentioned that contact had been established with the family of the deceased to facilitate a smooth investigation process.
IPOA stated that the investigative team had also documented all incidents of serious injuries during the demonstrations, including those sustained by police officers.
IPOA further announced the launch of a monitoring operation to observe police conduct during the mass protests against the proposed Finance Bill.
Similarly, IPOA also commended the protesters for holding peaceful demonstrations while unarmed unlike in the previous demonstrations witnessed in the country.
“The Authority calls for continued restraint by the Police and calls on members of the public to be peaceful and conduct themselves within confines of the law,” IPOA noted.
"The Authority condoles with the family of Masai, friends and all Kenyans affected by the unfortunate event."
Rex Masai reportedly succumbed to injuries after an armed police officer allegedly shot him within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
The tragic incident which was recorded on camera depicted a police officer clad in plain clothes aiming a gun at a protestor before firing it.
Sources privy to the incident revealed that the 25-year-old was hit with a bullet in the thighs.
Following the tragedy, Rex's body was moved to the City Mortuary with a postmortem scheduled to take place in the coming week.
