George Ndikas, a colleague and roommate of Rex Masai, has testified before an inquest into Masai’s death, detailing the events that led to the fatal shooting during the Finance Bill 2024 protests in Nairobi.
Ndikas, who appeared in court after several summons issued by presiding magistrate Hon. Geoffrey Onsarigo, told the court that on the day of the incident, he had invited Masai to join protests organized by Gen Z demonstrators in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
He explained that the two, who lived in Highrise Estate near the city centre, walked to the CBD where they joined other protesters demonstrating against the Finance Bill. According to Ndikas, they were unarmed and only had Masai’s phone with them.
As the protests intensified, Ndikas said they moved together but later agreed to regroup at Afya Centre. However, the situation quickly turned chaotic when police allegedly began firing live bullets at protesters.
Ndikas recounted that they attempted to flee in the opposite direction when he noticed Masai limping. Upon asking what was wrong, Masai responded, “Nimeshotiwa” (I have been shot).
He told the court that Masai’s trousers were soaked in blood and that he was crying out in pain before collapsing. Efforts to seek immediate medical help were unsuccessful, as police reportedly chased away bystanders and taxi drivers who could have assisted in taking Masai to hospital.
“After some time, members of the public came through and helped me rush him to Bliss Hospital on Moi Avenue, but he was pronounced dead on arrival,” Ndikas testified.
Ndikas’ account was consistent with earlier testimony by police officer Joseph Kigara Gathecha, who is in charge of crime scene management. Gathecha confirmed that he documented the body before and after the post-mortem and observed a visible bullet wound on Masai’s left thigh, although he did not specify the exact cause of death.
The officer also submitted 36 photographs of the body as evidence. The court directed that the images should not be made public due to their graphic nature.
