A tense standoff unfolded in court during the ongoing inquest into the death of activist Rex Kanyike Masai after the National Police Service (NPS) lawyer, Moses Kipkogei, demanded that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, be summoned to explain his role in the case.
The confrontation emerged after the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the DPP initially requested the court to summon Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eliud Lagat, claiming he had ignored orders to record a statement. However, both parties later withdrew their request, prompting Kipkogei to insist that the DPP himself should appear before the court.
Appearing before Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, Kipkogei argued that DPP Ingonga needed to clarify how he reached the conclusion—within 12 hours of the incident—that Masai’s death resulted from police action. He maintained that the DPP’s directive to IPOA to investigate was premature and outside the agency’s mandate unless police misconduct had been verified.
Kipkogei stated that his client, the National Police Service, believed the DPP’s decision was based on assumptions rather than established facts. He further proposed that, should the DPP not attend in person, State Counsel Makori be summoned to offer clarification.
The court was also informed that ten more witnesses would be called, including three who had already testified. Among them are former Nairobi Sub-County Commander Doris Mugambi, DCI officer Tiberius Ekisa, and Dr. Lawrence Machira of Bliss Hospital—the last person reported to have seen Masai alive.
The NPS additionally requested the appearance of George Ndikas, a key eyewitness who was with Masai when he was shot. However, prosecutors said they had been unable to locate him and asked for police assistance in tracing his whereabouts.
The police also sought to have the occupant of an office at International Life House, where a splinter bullet was recovered, testify before the court. The magistrate scheduled the next mention of the case for November 11, 2025, to be conducted virtually.
