The prosecution has today 7th September 2026 closed the Rex Masai case, after presenting 30 witnesses and 48 exhibits. The inquest into the death of Rex Kanyike Masai has returned to digital evidence, with IPOA Senior Assistant Director of Forensics Joshua Mutua recalled to the witness stand to produce a certificate of evidence relating to the video footage he reviewed during investigations into Masai’s death.
Mutua told the court that on 31 July 2026, he was presented with a silver-coloured 8GB flash disk containing a video recording. He was required to review the footage and confirm its authenticity.
The IPOA Senior Assistant Director of Forensics said he examined the contents of the flash disk and confirmed that it contained video footage. He also signed the exhibit memo relating to the digital evidence.
Mutua told the court that his findings established visual continuity in the recording.
The video was dated 20 June 2024, the same day Rex Masai died, and had a duration of one minute and 58 seconds.
He said the purpose of reviewing the footage was to assist investigations into the circumstances surrounding Masai’s death.
His return to the witness stand was specifically to produce the certificate of evidence for the video he had reviewed, formally placing the certification of the digital recording before the court.
Speaking to the press, lawyer Mwangi Chege, who represents the Masai family in the inquest, said the court had so far heard evidence from 30 witnesses.
Chege said the parties are expected to proceed to submissions, with the family awaiting the next stage of the proceedings on 24 September 2026. He said the family continues to pray for justice for Rex Masai.
The production of the certificate of evidence gives the court a formal basis upon which to consider the authenticity and integrity of the digital recording as the inquest moves towards its final stages.
Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo will consider the evidence placed before the court, including the digital footage and the testimony surrounding its review, before making a determination on the circumstances surrounding Rex Masai’s death.
Rex Kanyike Masai died on 20 June 2024 during demonstrations in Nairobi.
His death led to an inquest aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding his fatal shooting and determining whether the evidence warrants further legal action.
The inquest has heard evidence from 30 witnesses, with digital recordings forming part of the evidence presented before the court.
The proceedings are now approaching the submissions stage.
