KENYA: Ex-Kamukunji Police Boss Disclaims Role In Rex Masai’s Death During Kenya Protests

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

A former police commander has distanced himself from the controversial killing of Rex Masai during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in Kenya, asserting that his officers were dealing with criminal elements, not peaceful demonstrators.

Appearing before an ongoing inquiry into Masai’s death, Chief Inspector Robert Mugo who headed Kamukunji Police Station at the time stated that his unit was dispatched to manage unrest in Nairobi’s lower Central Business District (CBD) from June 18 to June 20, 2024. Mugo now serves in Githurai.

“We weren’t handling protestors. We were confronting individuals involved in looting and lawlessness,” Mugo testified.

According to Mugo, approximately 60 officers were deployed to the lower CBD, and none were armed with guns.

He emphasized that the officers only carried riot gear such as batons and teargas canisters.

He further clarified that those with firearms were operating in different locations and not under his direct command.

Out of a total 300 officers assigned to Kamukunji, Mugo said only a fraction operated in the affected area. He also noted that all personnel were in uniform and that no plainclothes officers were involved.

“There were no fatalities resulting from our team’s operations in that zone, nor have we received any formal complaints about injuries caused by our actions,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that three or four officers were injured during the disturbances, including one who was seriously hurt. He maintained that the events in the CBD were marked by violent conduct, not lawful protest.

“The area had been overrun by people taking advantage of the situation. They were not peaceful,” he added.

Mugo also pointed to coordination challenges after the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) joined the security efforts. He said the initial direction came from a superior referred to as Madam Dorris, but the operation became disorganized once the military stepped in.

On the issue of Rex Masai, Mugo said he had no knowledge of how Masai died.

He admitted hearing that a vehicle from his station transported two bodies to the mortuary, but said he did not know who the deceased were.

“I don’t know if Rex Masai was among the bodies ferried in that vehicle, and I am not informed about the cause of his death,” Mugo told the court.

The inquiry remains ongoing, with more witnesses expected to take the stand as efforts continue to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragic events of June 2024.