Pre-Interview:
Victim Selection: My focus is on the case of Rex Maasai, a Kenyan Gen-Z who was fatally shot by Kenyan police on June 24th 2024. His death raises pertinent questions about freedom to assembly, peaceful protests and police conduct and or brutality.
Background Information:
Personal History: Gathering details about Rex Masai.
Circumstances of Death: Follow keenly the independent reports surrounding the incident, including the police’s report.
Legal Proceedings: Compile and review the outcomes of investigations and legal actions taken, such as the findings by police, Independent Policing Oversight Authority as well as independent investigators and human rights watch groups.
Community Response: The impact of Rex’s death to the local community.
Ethical Journalism Practices:
Sensitivity: During the interviews, approach the family with empathy, respecting their grief and emotional state.
Be Accurate: Ensure all information is verified by reliable sources.
Respect Privacy: Allow the family control of the narrative and respect their boundaries on what they want and do not want to speak about.
Post-Interview:
Verification: Cross-check all statements and facts provided by all sources.
Contextualization: Place the interview insights within the broader context of freedom issues and police brutality in Kenya.
Review: Offer an opportunity to the respondents to review the piece before publication, ensuring accuracy.
Ethical Considerations:
Consent: Put out the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, and obtain consent.
Do not Exploit: Do not use the tragedy for sensationalism but rather focus on their narrative and the pursuit of justice.
Fairness: Present all sides of the story without bias.
Sensitivity to Cultural Norms: Consider cultural practices and grieving processes.
HERE IS THE ARTICLE:
“Justice for Rex Masai: A Generation’s Cry for Accountability”
In the restless streets of Nairobi, where hope and frustration collide, the tragic death of Rex Masai—a young Kenyan GenZ— ignited a national outcry. On June 24, 2024, Rex was fatally shot by police during protests against the controversial Finance Bill. He was only 19. Authorities initially downplayed the incident, but eyewitnesses and video evidence painted a different picture—one of state violence against peaceful demonstrators.
I had the solemn honor of speaking with Rex’s mother- Gillian Odawa, who still struggles to accept the loss of her only son. She recounted the moment she identified his body—a moment frozen in time. The pain in her voice was unmistakable. “He went out to fight for our future,” she said, “and they killed him for it.” A postmortem confirmed he died from a gunshot wound to the thigh that severed a major artery, leading to fatal blood loss. His death was not only avoidable—it was unjust.
The grief of losing a child is immeasurable, but for Rex’s family, the tragedy is made worse by the impunity of those responsible. His killing has become a symbol of the broader struggle against police brutality and a government that appears increasingly disconnected from the youth it claims to represent.
In March 2025, after months of public pressure and protests, the High Court in Nairobi ruled that the police acted unlawfully in Rex Masai’s death. The state was ordered to compensate the family with 15 million Kenyan shillings. But as his mother told me, “No court ruling can bring back my son. We want justice, not just money.”
Rex Masai’s story is not just about one young life cut short—it’s about a generation that refuses to be silenced. It is about a mother’s unyielding demand for accountability, and a society grappling with the cost of ignoring the cries of its youth. Amplifying stories like Rex’s—with empathy, truth, and unwavering commitment to justice keeps their memories alive—and their fight ongoing for a better future..
