Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has provided an update on investigations into the alleged police shootings of protesters.
His office has received files from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) regarding four victims of these alleged shootings, including the death of Rex Masai on 18 June along Moi Avenue.
Ingonga mentioned that CCTV footage from that day does not clearly show who pulled the trigger.
“The CCTV footage of the shooting does not identify the person who pulled the trigger,” Ingonga said.
The DPP stated that Masai’s relatives identified his body for the post-mortem. However, the people who took Masai to the hospital, a key witness who was with him during the shooting, and the individual who informed his parents have not yet recorded statements.
DPP Boss Renson Igonga speaking during a past event
“I urge anyone with information about this case, especially those who took the deceased to the hospital and witnessed the shooting, to come forward and record a statement with IPOA,” he said.
Another victim, Evans Kiratu Karobia, died while receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Investigations indicate his death was due to multiple organ injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
“No one has recorded a statement about the deceased being assaulted. I have instructed IPOA to present this matter to a competent court for a public inquest,” Ingonga said.
The late protester Rex Kanyeki Masai who was shot dead by police
He encouraged anyone with information to record a statement with IPOA, as these statements will help determine the cause of the injuries noted in the post-mortem report.
In the case of Gianna Obonyo, who was shot on 25 June 2024, she sustained a gunshot wound in the lower back while riding a bicycle in her parents’ compound. She was admitted to KNH and underwent surgery to remove the bullet. Ingonga promised to review the case and provide further directions once the ballistics report is resubmitted.
Regarding Dominic Mutua, the suspect denied firing a tear gas canister at him. The DPP has ordered further investigations to verify the video and a report submitted by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) showing the alleged incident. He also requested a ballistic examiner’s report for review.
The DPP noted that the investigations conducted so far have not implicated any police officers. He is currently handling cases involving 19 police officers in Nairobi, including one charged with murder.
