The inquest into the tragic death of Rex Masai, who was fatally shot during anti-government protests in Nairobi, has taken a new twist after damning testimony was presented in court.
A Safaricom officer, appearing before the inquest, revealed mobile phone data that placed police constable Isaiah Murangiri at crucial locations within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) at the time of the incident.
According to the testimony, Murangiri’s phone records indicate his movements coincided with the areas where Rex was shot. This revelation is expected to play a pivotal role in determining whether the officer was directly involved in the shooting or if he can be conclusively linked to the crime scene.
The court heard that the data was retrieved from Safaricom’s records, which track mobile signal activity in relation to nearby masts. While the defense maintained that phone location evidence alone cannot prove culpability, the prosecution argued that the records provide corroborative evidence to eyewitness accounts placing the officer near the protest scenes.
The inquest, presided over at the Nairobi Magistrates Court, is part of a broader effort to establish accountability for the 29-year-old’s death, which sparked public outrage and calls for justice. Human rights groups and protestors have accused security agencies of using excessive force against demonstrators, with Rex’s case becoming a symbol of alleged police brutality.
As the hearings continue, the testimony from Safaricom adds pressure on the investigating authorities and heightens public interest in how the justice system will handle the case. The court is expected to call more witnesses, including ballistics experts, to piece together the events that led to Rex Masai’s death.
The outcome of the inquest could set a major precedent in police accountability cases in Kenya, where questions around extra-judicial killings and excessive use of force have long lingered.
