A Nairobi court has scheduled September 1 and 8, 2025, as the next hearing dates in the case involving the killing of protester Rex Masai, who was fatally shot during anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in June 2024.

The new dates were set on Tuesday, July 29, at the Milimani Law Courts, following the appearance of a protected witness associated with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa).

The witness gave testimony virtually from Ipoa offices under strict security, with their face hidden and voice altered to protect their identity.

Identified only as "GG," the witness presented visual evidence allegedly linking a plainclothes police officer to the fatal shooting during the protests held on June 18 and 20 in Nairobi.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had requested that the witness testify remotely from Ipoa premises. This was opposed by the National Police Service, which argued for a closed session with one of their lawyers physically present.

The witness’s legal team objected to that arrangement, citing safety concerns. The Law Society of Kenya also supported full anonymity for protected witnesses.

After hearing all submissions, Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo allowed the testimony to proceed virtually.

During the session, the witness told the court they had been on a photography assignment near Holy Family Basilica on June 18, when uniformed and plainclothes officers began dispersing peaceful demonstrators with teargas.

The witness described seeing a man in civilian clothes with a blue phone, tear gas launcher, walkie-talkie, and a visible birthmark. He was seen firing teargas and later arresting a journalist.

On June 20, the same man reappeared along Uhuru Highway near the Intercontinental Hotel, again in plainclothes, assisting other officers in clearing stones from the road.

Images and footage presented in court showed the officer’s consistent appearance over the two days, which the witness confirmed. He was named as Isaiah Murangiri.

The witness said they continued documenting the officer because of his aggressive conduct. “It wasn’t familiarity; it was his repeated behavior and appearance at critical moments that drew my focus. He stood out because of how aggressive he was; that’s why I kept my lens on him,” the witness told the court.

They described the protests as peaceful, with demonstrators chanting "Reject Finance Bill." They said they saw no signs of criminal gangs and noted that only plainclothes officers were involved in the use of force and arrests.

An exhibit photo presented in court was taken during the June 18 protests and captured the same officer firing teargas at a journalist before entering a police vehicle near the Supreme Court.

Ipoa official Stella Cherono confirmed to the court that the witness was testifying from Ipoa offices and was ready to proceed.

With the protected testimony now on record, the court is set to resume hearings on the two scheduled dates, with more witnesses expected to appear.