Azimio pressures IG Koome, Nairobi police boss to resign over Rex’s death

Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition has called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei.

Addressing the press on Friday, June 21, 2024, Azimio leaders led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka reprimanded the two senior officers for failing to protect the protesters leading to the death of Rex Kanyike Masai.

The leaders called on IG Koome and Bungei to tender their resignation with immediate effect.

“As Azimio and on behalf of the people, we demand that IG Japeth Koome and Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei immediately tender their resignation for failing to protect the peaceful demonstrators,” the Azimio leaders demanded.

Charge officers

Besides calling for IG Koome and Bungei’s resignation, Azimio also joined the rest of the country in demanding justice for Rex. The opposition leaders led by Kalonzo implored the relevant authorities to track and arrest the police officers responsible for the heinous actions.

“We stand with Rex, his family, and his comrades. We demand that these perpetrators of police brutality be arrested and charged with murder in a court of law,” a statement shared by Kalonzo read in part.

Early this morning, we received the dreaded phone call informing us that Kenyan police had shot and killed 24 year old Rex Kanyike Masai for exercising his constitutional right under Article 37 of our Constitution. Rex was gunned down by a police bullet.

This is a tragic event… pic.twitter.com/cmQu41rgzD

— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) June 21, 2024

Rex was confirmed dead by his parents who pointed accusing fingers at the law enforcement officers. Rex’s parents noted that their son was returning home from work when he got hit before bleeding to death.

“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,” Rex’s mother told the media.

IPOA vows to investigate

Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched a probe into the fatal shooting of the 24-year-old. In a statement on Friday, June 21, 2024, the Authority says it is also investigating several Injuries suffered by other demonstrators including police officers who were quelling the unrest.

“Accordingly, and in accordance with Section 7 of the IPOA Act, the Authority has this morning launched investigations into the fatal shooting and our investigation team has since established contact with the family of Mr Masai, all the serious incidents documented during the demonstrations,” IPOA chairperson Anne Makori said in the statement.

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