“No Clear Answer from CCTV”: IPOA Says Key Footage Fails to Identify Officer in Rex Maasai Shooting Case
By Zuriel Midambo
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has told the court that CCTV footage reviewed in the death of protester Rex Maasai is inconclusive and does not clearly identify the officer who allegedly fired the fatal shot during anti-government protests in Nairobi.
Testifying in court, IPOA investigator David Mwangi said the authority had analyzed available video recordings, interviewed witnesses, and conducted forensic examinations as part of its probe into the incident. However, he noted that the footage was not clear enough to pinpoint the shooter.
“The CCTV footage that was obtained and analyzed was inconclusive and did not enable investigators to positively identify the officer who fired the fatal shot,” Mwangi told the court.
The death of Rex Maasai drew widespread public attention and outrage after he was reportedly shot during demonstrations in the capital, with many Kenyans and human rights groups hoping video evidence would provide clarity on what transpired.
IPOA told the court that despite collecting multiple witness statements and conducting technical analysis, the evidence so far does not directly link any specific officer to the shooting.
“The available evidence remains insufficient to implicate a specific suspect,” Mwangi added.
The findings have reignited public concern over accountability in policing, particularly in the handling of protests and the use of force. Human rights organizations and the family of the deceased continue to call for a more thorough and transparent investigation to establish what happened.
The court is expected to issue further directions as the matter proceeds, while IPOA maintains that investigations remain ongoing based on any new evidence that may emerge.
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