‘It Wasn’t Me!’ Cop Denies Killing Rex Masai Despite Video, Phone Evidence
IPOA Presents Evidence Linking Officer to Rex Masai Killing. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Wednesday presented compelling evidence linking police officer Isaiah Murangiri to the killing of 23-year-old protester Rex Masai.
Despite photographic, video, and phone data placing him near the scene of the shooting on June 20, 2024. Murangiri denied being the officer captured in the footage. He maintained that he was off duty on June 18 and stationed at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on the day of the shooting.
During the hearing, investigators showed images of a uniformed officer resembling Murangiri firing tear gas at unarmed protesters on June 18.
“Please go to the next picture… you’re still not the one?” an examiner asked. “I’m not the one,” Murangiri replied.
When shown a close-up of the officer’s face revealing a birthmark identical to his, Murangiri continued to deny it. He also could not explain away phone data and visual evidence suggesting he was not at KICC as claimed.
A final image showed a tattoo resembling African art on the officer’s wrist. “Is this not the same African art in this image?” the examiner pressed. Still, Murangiri insisted: “It is not me.”
Presiding Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo ordered three more police officers. They include Corporal Martin Githinji, Constable Simon Waweru, and Constable Geoffrey Mbae, who are to appear before IPOA. Additionally, it was directed that the original arms register be turned over to the investigators.
“The pathologist’s report showed that a live bullet killed Rex,” IPOA’s Assistant Director of Forensics, Paul Njihia, confirmed.
