The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has appealed to Kenyans who witnessed the fatal shooting of Rex Kanyike Masai to avail their accounts.
The oversight authority which already launched investigations into the fatal shooting has stated that the witness accounts will aid in holding the involved police accountable and give the family closure.
Twenty-nine-year-old Rex Masai was shot by police officers during the anti-Finance bill demonstrations on June 20 and was laid to rest on July 5 amid public outcry.
Last month, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed IPOA to probe the killing and forward an inquiry report before the lapse of 21 days.
IPOA’s Chairperson Anne Makori in a statement said the state agency had been monitoring police conduct since the onset of the protests on Tuesday, June 18.
Makori noted that both protestors and police largely showed restraint but highlighted specific incidents such as the case of Masai and injuries sustained by other protesters during the demonstrations, further calling for restraint by the police.
Meanwhile, Kenyans are calling for conclusive investigations into all protesters who were shot dead in different parts of the nation during the anti-government protests.
The government claims that 25 people have been killed and 400 have been injured but the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) says that at least 43 people were killed during the demonstrations, and over 600 were injured in varying degrees.