New Twist in Rex Masai Murder Case as Key Witness Snubs Court, Hearing Postponed
The highly anticipated murder trial of activist Rex Masai took an unexpected turn after a crucial witness, police officer Fredrick Ole Tepes, failed to appear in court. His absence forced an adjournment, delaying the search for justice for the 29-year-old, who was fatally shot during the Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
The case was set to proceed over three days, but without Tepes’ testimony, the court had no choice but to postpone the hearing to Thursday, March 13. A civilian witness, whose testimony depended on the officer’s account, also could not take the stand.
Family’s Lawyer Vows to Push for Justice
Reacting to the delay, the Masai family’s lawyer, Mwangi Chege, expressed frustration over the adjournment but vowed to keep pushing for justice. He condemned the use of excessive force on unarmed protesters, stressing that those responsible must be held accountable
“We will ensure that at no point will the police or any other security forces use live ammunition on civilians exercising their constitutional rights. Every citizen has the right to picket, protest, and associate,” Chege stated firmly
The case is now expected to continue on Thursday and Friday, with testimonies from the police officer, a civilian witness, and activist Boniface Mwangi.
Who Killed Rex Masai?
As the trial continues, the biggest question remains: who pulled the trigger? The investigation has already seen two police officers, Benson Kamau and Isaiah Muragiri, deny any involvement in Masai’s fatal shooting.
During his testimony, Constable Kamau stated that on June 20, he was deployed at Museum Hill, near the Kileleshwa-Parklands junction, and was assigned intelligence-gathering duties. Meanwhile, Corporal Ndumba, who is also under investigation, testified that he was stationed at the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC) and was only issued a tear gas launcher. He dismissed claims linking him to Masai’s death, calling them “malicious and unfounded.”
Was There Evidence of the Shooting?
Despite strong accusations against the police, evidence linking any officer to the shooting remains unclear. The court aims to establish the exact circumstances under which Masai was shot and whether law enforcement was responsible for his death.
Masai succumbed to excessive bleeding from a gunshot wound to his thigh, allegedly inflicted by police during the chaotic protests. His killing sparked outrage nationwide, with many demanding accountability and an end to police brutality.
As the court prepares to resume proceedings, all eyes remain on the testimony of the missing police officer. Will justice finally be served, or will more delays hinder the truth from emerging?
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New Twist in Rex Masai Murder Case as Key Witness Snubs Court, Hearing Postponed
