Echoes of Anguish: Kenya Mourns Protester Killed Amid Finance Bill Unrest

Kenyans are mourning the death of Rex Kanyeki Masai aged 29 years old who died on Thursday evening from severe injuries from a live bullet which was allegedly fired by the police at Nairobi CBD.

The protesters came out at large to held up placards against the finance bill 2024 which has proposed high tax measures.
The peaceful anti-finance bill protest which occurred in more than 18 counties during the day ended with a sorrowful night as more than 35 people were arrested across the country as reports indicated.

The protests occurred in Migori, Machakos, Embu, Mombasa, Kirinyaga, Kericho, Meru, Nairobi, Kakamega, Thika, Garissa, Kilifi, Nanyuki, Kisii, Isiolo, Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyeri.
In Nairobi, protesters wanted to
storm into National Assembly to warn the Mps against passing the finance bill. The Inspector General of police warned Kenyans not to storm the National Assemby. He went ahead and ordered the police to protect the parliament parliamentarians from protesters which turned into violent situation as police were running battles with protesters and threw tear gas at them.

Ms. Gillian Munyao, the mother of the late said that the death of his son shocked her after viewing his body at city mortuary. ” The gap my son has left will never be filled. He was my firstborn and what happened to him pains me so much” Ms. Munyao said.

According to the mother, Rex Masai was the provider and he was so disciplined. “When I am low, I could call him and he would come through for me. I have lost a very disciplined young man” She added.

“He was our only hope” Mr Chrispine Munyao the father of the late said.

It is said that Rex Masai was from work as he was working at one of the casino’s in Nairobi.
He was at The National Archives when tear gas canisters were fired to the crowd leading to choking fumes. The crowd run and the police were chasing after them with live bullets and one of the police shot him in the left thigh and his friend decided to take him to the nearest hospital at Bliss Health Care Centre, Moi Avenue but unfortunately he met his death before reaching there.

The office of the Director of the Public Prosecution (ODPP) has given the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) 21 days to do the investigation regarding the death of Masai.