Court summons ex-Nairobi police commander again in Rex Masai murder case
This marks the third time the court has directed Mugambi to appear, following a renewed request by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
The Milimani Law Courts have once again summoned former Nairobi Area Sub-County Police Commander Doris Mugambi to testify in the ongoing inquest into the death of Rex Kanyike Masai, who was fatally shot during anti-tax protests in June 2024.
This marks the third time the court has directed Mugambi to appear, following a renewed request by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP). State counsel Jalson Makori told the court that her testimony is necessary to clarify crucial details about police operations on the day of the shooting.
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Presiding Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo also issued summonses to several other witnesses, among them Laurence Machira, a representative from Bliss Hospital, and an occupant of International Life House, where ballistic experts recovered a bullet fragment believed to have caused Rex's death.
In addition, three officials from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and a journalist who previously testified will be recalled for further questioning.
The inquest, which had been scheduled to conclude this week with testimony from the last three witnesses—including Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor and the investigating officer—has now been extended.
The prosecution indicated that it intends to call up to ten additional witnesses before the inquiry can be finalised.
Tensions briefly flared in court at the start of Thursday's session as representatives from the ODPP, the National Police Service (NPS), and IPOA clashed. The prosecution accused the police and oversight bodies of withholding information and attempting to cover up key aspects of the case.
Earlier, the prosecution had sought to compel Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Eliud Lagat to appear before the court to shed light on the police deployment during the protests.
The application was later withdrawn after the DPP confirmed that sufficient information had already been provided by other witnesses from the NPS.
Magistrate Onsarigo directed that all recalled witnesses be traced and presented before the court, with the matter slated for a virtual mention on November 11, 2025, to confirm compliance.
Rex Masai, 29, was shot in the upper thigh along Moi Avenue as police dispersed protesters in the city centre. He was rushed to Bliss Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to a doctor who attended to him, "He had sustained a single gunshot wound to the upper thigh and appeared to have bled excessively before reaching the facility."
The DPP ordered the inquest to determine whether criminal charges should be brought against any officer or individual linked to the shooting.
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