Pressure is mounting against the National Police Service (NPS) leadership to bring to book the suspected officer claimed to have been involved in the fatal shooting of a peaceful protester, Rex Kanyike Masai aged 29 along Moi Avenue in Nairobi yesterday evening.
Besides the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirming initiation of death probe, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has said a police officer fired a killer bullet and demanded his arrest.
Witnesses reported the officer firing into the crowd, injuring Rex in the leg.
“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 party has said.
Despite efforts to save him at Bliss Hospital Moi Avenue, he succumbed to his wounds.
The death of Masai, who was among the demonstrators has been linked to a plain clothes officer who was part of the security agents battling the protestors in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Yesterday, ODM lawmakers insisted that despite the opposition’s failure to halt the bill the struggle to protect Kenyans’ interests is far from over.
“This is not the end; this journey has just started. We are taking a vote while police are battling young people out there. The battle to protect Kenyans’ interests is on and is not over.” Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi noted.
Minority Whip Junet Mohammed criticized the ruling coalition lawmakers for ignoring valid input from the opposition and voting under the influence of the Executive.
“After pumping a whole lot of sense into the Kenya Kwanza side, the bill was passed in a very draconian manner. It’s a sad day for me, and we have nothing to do but to live with it.” Junet observed.