The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed that the Authority was in the process of identifying and confirming the suspected officer who allegedly shot at protestor Rex Kanyike Masai.
In a progress update of the investigations issued on Saturday evening, IPOA stated that they had several teams working on the case where one team documented and witnessed the post-morterm on the body of Rex.
“IPOA witnessed and documented the post mortem on the body of Rex Masai who was allegedly fatally killed by a police bullet,” read the statement in part.
Further, the oversight body confirmed having recorded witness statements, who were present at the scene of the shooting on Thursday night.
This was also followed by a visit to the scene in the Nairobi CBD which was processed to aid in the investigation.
Meanwhile, as the IPOA is set to identify the suspected officer who fired at the protestors in Nairobi, the public pressure has piled on the Authority to apprehend and prosecute the suspected officer.
Additionally, with more public involvement and a keen eye on the investigations, on Sunday morning the governor of Machakos County, Wavinya Ndeti revealed that she had catered to all funeral expenses at Lee Funeral Home ahead of Rex’s burial.
“I also got to know that Rex's mother comes from Kamuthanga, Machakos. On Friday 21st of June, I personally catered for the transfer of the body of our young hero, the late Rex from City Mortuary to Lee Funeral Home, and covered all expenses in full awaiting his burial,” stated Wavinya.
The governor also condemned the incident citing that the police officers had used unnecessarily lethal force in dispersing the anti-finance bill protests.
These sentiments fall on the backdrop of the outrage that has been witnessed in the country following the death of Rex.
Additionally, a second protestor, Evans Kiratu, lost his life on Saturday after he succumbed to injuries sustained during the protests on Thursday.
Police officers have been under scrutiny for the brutal handling of protestors during the Anti Finance Bill protests which have been witnessed across various parts of Kenya.
