Jillian Munyau, the mother of Rex Masai who was killed during the anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi, revealed that she learned about her son’s shooting from his friends.
She spoke at the City Mortuary on Friday, recounting that she received the distressing call around 7 pm on Thursday. However, by the time she arrived in town from Nyama Villa, her son had already passed away.
Rex had been swiftly taken to a clinic in the Central Business District, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“I was called yesterday at around 7 pm and was told he had been shot on the left thigh and they took him to the nearest clinic at Archives it was called Bliss… When I got to town, he was dead,” she said.
Munyao narrated that a friend of Rex called using his phone to inform her of the unfortunate incident.
She said the two and other friends had agreed to meet at Afya Centre, in case of anything.
Rex’s mother added that the son was shot as he ran for safety, from a teargas canister that had been thrown towards protesting youths in Nairobi CBD.
“The friend called me using his phone. He told me when they left work, they were going somewhere in town and they had agreed to meet at Afya Centre, in case of anything.
“While they were standing somewhere around Archives, a teargas canister was thrown, he got shot in the direction he ran to for safety. His friends ran away because they were saving their lives,” Munyau said.
Jillian Munyau, the mother of Rex Masai, who tragically lost his life during the anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi, recounted that after the police initially left, one of them returned and found Rex bleeding.
She shared that Rex’s friend had called for assistance from a passerby to help transport Rex to the hospital. Despite their pleas, Munyau claimed their requests to the police for an ambulance or assistance in getting Rex to the hospital were ignored.
Rex, her firstborn, was described by his mother as well-raised and highly respectful. She emphasized that his only fault was participating in peaceful protests to uphold the rights of all Kenyans. Munyau called on the government to ensure justice is served for her son.
Reports indicate that Rex, aged 24, was shot and killed along Moi Avenue in Nairobi during the protests against the Finance Bill, 2024, on Thursday.
Police have stated they are investigating the circumstances surrounding Rex’s death. An aerial video captured the moment of the shooting, which occurred as protesters were being dispersed after gathering to demonstrate their opposition to the Bill in various parts of Nairobi.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has initiated investigations into the shooting incident involving a protester allegedly by a police officer.
