Rex Masai killing: Photojournalist tells court he filmed police officer Murangiri pull trigger
The photojournalist, a protected witness, shared a video clip allegedly identifying Murangiri as the shooter and submitted five photographs said to have been taken on June 18, 19, and 20 last year.
A journalist who captured the moment a police officer shot at Rex Masai during protests last June has presented visual evidence in court that, according to the prosecution, confirms officer Isaiah Murangiri was responsible for the killing.
The photojournalist, a protected witness, shared a video clip allegedly identifying Murangiri as the man who pulled the trigger. He also submitted five photographs of the officer, which he said were taken on June 18, 19, and 20 of last year.
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The visual material, presented in court, was described as crucial evidence by both the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Wristband
Testifying before Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsaringo, the photojournalist stated that in one of the photos taken on June 20, 2024, a man is seen wearing a wristband on his left hand marked with the initials “Izoo,” and another on the right hand bearing the Kenyan flag.
He further testified that on the day Masai was killed, he captured images of the suspect wearing a black cap, a dark grey short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, white sports shoes, a black face mask, and carrying a police walkie-talkie.
"In the video, an officer is seen on June 19 in the middle of a group of protesters near the Intercontinental Hotel dressed in a light blue shirt and black cap, and holding a walkie-talkie," he said.
Clearing blocked road
In one photo, the officer is shown clearing a blocked road with a rungu in his hand, wearing white sports shoes.
Another image, taken on June 18, shows him in a light blue shirt and black cap, standing beside a police van outside the Supreme Court.
This testimony comes shortly after Murangiri denied being the person depicted in the images.
The court recalled Murangiri after the prosecution requested more time to cross-examine him. In a previous hearing,
Murangiri had strongly denied having a birthmark on his face, despite the photos presented in court for comparison.
David Mwangi, a lawyer from the Law Society of Kenya assisting IPOA in the inquest, pointed out a distinctive black birthmark visible beneath the suspect’s left ear.
The hearing was adjourned to September 1.
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