By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The recent deaths of dozens of people in Kenya during a police crackdown on nationwide protests began with the shooting of 30 year old Rex Masai. These events have further diminished the already tenuous trust in the police to maintain order. As new protests loom, concerns are mounting over the potential response of security forces.
On June 20, the second day of demonstrations against a finance bill proposing new taxes, what started without major incidents escalated dramatically in Nairobi as night fell. Protesters grew more defiant, prompting police to escalate from using water cannons and tear gas to live ammunition.
Rex Masai was shot in the thigh and succumbed to his injuries. Ian Njuguna, a friend who tried to assist Masai, recounted the harrowing experience of being tear gassed by an officer while attempting to get Masai to a hospital. Despite pleas, their efforts were in vain.
In the wake of these events, at least four police officers face prosecution for shooting and killing protesters over the past month, amid rising demands for justice. However, the investigations have been fraught with challenges, including non cooperation and intimidation from the police, according to John Waiganjo, a commissioner from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority .
The investigation into Masai's death has yet to result in a prosecution, as investigators continue to gather evidence. a video showing what appears to be a plain clothes officer firing at fleeing protesters around the time of Masai's death. Njuguna believes Masai was targeted because of his dreadlocks, suspecting he was mistakenly identified as a looter.
Masai’s family was shocked to learn that the bullet that killed him was missing from his body post autopsy, raising suspicions of tampering. Waiganjo acknowledged the difficulties in securing vital evidence, which can impede the quest for justice despite IPOA’s authority to compel the release of information.
The conduct of the police has eroded public faith in the system, making it challenging to secure witness statements. The IPOA has resorted to using social media allegations to initiate investigations into killings, arbitrary arrests, and abductions.
Amnesty International’s Irungu Houghton criticized the police for failing to de escalate situations and facilitate peaceful protests, instead opting to block them, which exacerbates tensions. He emphasized that live fire or rubber bullets should never be used against unarmed individuals, and the police's role should be to guide protesters safely.
Masai’s mother remains hopeful for justice but is wary of governmental processes. She appeals to the police, urging them to empathize with the pain of losing a loved one and to refrain from violence in future protests, trusting in divine justice instead.
