Former Kamukunji Police Station Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Chief Inspector Robert Mugo has denied any police involvement in the death of Rex Masai during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests, insisting that officers under his command encountered violent criminals, not peaceful protesters.
Testifying at the ongoing inquest into Masai’s death, Mugo, now stationed in Githurai, told the court that between June 18 and 20, 2024, his team was deployed to maintain order in Nairobi’s lower Central Business District (CBD), a bustling commercial zone.
“The individuals we encountered were not peaceful demonstrators but criminals engaging in looting. Some were armed, others were not,” Mugo stated. He emphasized that approximately 60 officers were deployed under his direct command and were only equipped with tear gas and batons, not firearms.
Mugo maintained that of the roughly 300 officers at Kamukunji Police Station, only a designated team was sent to the lower CBD, and none operated in civilian attire or carried live weapons.
“There was no killing under my jurisdiction in the lower CBD,” he said. “No reports have been made about civilian injuries from our operations.”
He acknowledged, however, that three to four officers sustained injuries during the deployment, with one hospitalized in serious condition.
The former OCS echoed earlier testimonies by fellow officers, describing the protests as a breakdown of law and order rather than legitimate civic action. “There were no peaceful protests in the lower CBD. Those were criminals exploiting the situation,” he reiterated.
Mugo also pointed to confusion in the chain of command once the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) joined the operations. “We received direct orders from Madam Dorris to secure the lower CBD. After the KDF intervened, there was no coordination,” he noted.
On the specific case of Rex Masai’s death, Mugo distanced himself entirely, stating, “I was informed that my vehicle transported two bodies to the mortuary, but I do not know the identities. I am not aware that Rex Masai’s body was among them, nor do I know the cause of his death.”
The inquest, which seeks to determine the circumstances surrounding Masai’s death during the June 2024 protests, continues with more testimonies expected in the coming days.
Written By Rodney Mbua
