Rex Masai Was Killed By Criminals, Alleged Killer Cop Murangiri Tells Court

Isaiah Ndumba Murangiri, the cop accused of shooting Rex Kanyeki Masai during the anti-tax protests that took place in June 2024, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, told the court that those who shot the deceased were criminals, not police officers.

During cross-examination, after the prosecution team played two videos of the events that took place on the night of June 20, 2024, Murangiri told the court that his reference to those who killed Rex as criminals came as a result of how they carried out the operation as seen in the video.

In the two videos played during the proceedings of the case at the Milimani High Court before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, a man was seen with a firearm which he fired and went ahead to clobber another man who was hiding under a van.

Prosecuting Counsel Gikui Gichuhi asked Murangiri whether he had seen any firearm or discharge of a firearm in the videos played in court to which he replied that he had not seen any but suspected the man was holding one.

“I have not seen any but I suspect the man with the white shoes might be holding a firearm but am not sure,” Corporal Murangiri told the court.

Video footage that caught the shooting incident being played during Rex Masai’s case at the Milimani High Court on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

In his explanation of his understanding of the videos, Murangiri added that even the police batons used by the said person as seen in the videos do not resemble the ones issued to them when on duty.

Further, Murangiri told the court that even criminals can acquire firearms and tear gas canisters, adding that in his work experience, he has come across criminals using both firearms and tear gas.

“Even as we are talking now there are criminals with firearms,” Murangiri told the court.

Earlier, Murangiri had informed the court that on that material day the events unfolded, he had been issued with a teargas launcher which according to him cannot kill a person.

During the court proceedings, it also emerged that there was a contradiction between the record of description of what the accused said he was wearing and what he told the court on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, about what he wore on that fateful day.

Meanwhile, Murangiri told the court that his life and that of his family were affected by the circulation of his name and details in social media accusing him of shooting the deceased.

More witnesses will testify before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo on March 10, 2025, March 13, 2025, and March 14, 2025.