The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party calls on the National Government to take action against the rogue officer who shot dead 24-year-old Rex Kanyike Maasai on Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Nairobi.
In a statement published on Friday, June 21, 2024, ODM says the deceased’s only crime was going to the streets to exercise his democratic right.
While condemning the extrajudicial killing, the party noted that Rex posed no danger to the police officers since he was not armed.
“We demand that the government takes action against the overzealous police officer who shot and killed Rex Kanyike Masai, a young man whose only crime was to carry a bottle of water, handkerchief and lifting his fist up to oppose the oppressive Finance Bill, “ODM statement reads.
We demand that the government takes action against the overzealous police officer who shot and killed Rex Kanyike Masai, a young man whose only crime was to carry a bottle of water, handkerchief and lifting his fist up to oppose the oppressive Finance Bill.
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) June 21, 2024
Police brutality
ODM demands come hours after the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) disclosed that they are carrying out investigations into police shootings during the anti-Finance Bill 2024Â demonstrations.
In a statement published on Friday, June 21, 2024, IPOA says, they have been monitoring police conduct during the anti-Finance Bill protest that started on June 18, 2024.
“IPOA launched a monitoring operation into police conduct during the mass protests against the proposed Finance Bill, 2024 on June 18, 2024, “IPOA statement reads.
“Accordingly, and by Section 7 of the IPOA Act, the Authority has this morning launched investigations into the fatal shooting and our investigation team has since established contact with the family of Masai.”
IPOA further revealed that it had documented the death of a 24-year-old who succumbed to gunshot injuries inflicted by a police officer and also several serious injuries of other demonstrators including the police officers.
“However, the Authority has documented the death of Rex Masai allegedly as a result of a police shooting and several serious injuries suffered by other demonstrators including police officers.”
IPOA urged the police not to use excessive force during protests adding that members of the public should maintain peace.
“The Authority calls for continued restraint by the Police and calls on members of the public to be peaceful and conduct themselves within the confines of the law,” IPOA said.
“Lastly, the Authority condoles with the family of Masai, friends and all Kenyans affected by the unfortunate event. IPOA further wishes a quick recovery to all persons who were injured. IPOA remains committed to independence, impartiality, fairness and unbiased in all its operations.”
Investigations into police shooting during the Finance Bill, 2024 mass demonstrations.#GuardingPublicInterestInPolicing#PoliceAccountability ^EM pic.twitter.com/UhKWo8Cci8
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) June 21, 2024
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