Court proceedings in the inquest into the death of Rex Kanyike Masai gained momentum on Wednesday after Chief Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor finally testified following weeks of adjournments linked to his tight official schedule.
Appearing virtually as Prosecution Witness 27, Dr. Oduor presented findings from the autopsy he conducted on June 21, 2024.
His testimony confirmed that Masai died as a result of a gunshot wound sustained during the June 20 anti-Finance Bill protests.
“Rex Masai died from haemorrhage, excessive bleeding from one gunshot wound,” said Dr.
Oduor.He further explained the injuries he documented during the examination, giving details about the entry point and path of the bullet.
“I found injuries as follows… There was an entry gunshot wound on the left thigh…” he said.
The hearing also included the cross-examination of George Ndikas, a close friend of the deceased, who had earlier given his account.
Lawyers representing the National Police Service questioned parts of his testimony, especially his claim that Masai was already limping at the time a person believed to be a police officer was seen firing a gun.
Tension arose in court after lawyers for the National Police Service requested to recall a witness for further questioning, saying there were issues that needed clarification based on earlier testimony.
The prosecution strongly opposed the request, accusing the defence of trying to reopen matters that had already been addressed.
“When there was CCTV footage that was brought from ABSA, there was a question of who could authenticate those materials,” Counsel for NPS Alias Ouma stated.
Prosecution officer Jalson Makori said, “They have seen the evidence that we’re relying on. They want to fill in the gaps they had left in cross-examination. And we vehemently oppose.”
Despite the objection, the court allowed the defence to recall Tiberius Thomas Ekisa, an officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, for additional cross-examination.
The inquest will continue next Wednesday before Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, with the prosecution expected to present a key protected witness as the case moves closer to its conclusion.
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