Inquest into Rex Masai's death: Arms custodian admits altering records

The late activist Rex Masai inquest court has ordered two(2) arms movement registers be kept in a safe to avoid interference following an admission by their custodian that he altered the entries of arms issued to police officers detailed to cover the Gen Z anti-government protests between June 18 and June 20, 2024, which left over 60 dead.

Milimani Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsaringo gave the order following admission by Corporal Fredrick Okapesi, who is the custodian of the arms movement register at the Central Police Station Nairobi, that he altered the entries.

The prosecuting counsel Jalson Makori and lawyer for Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)--David Tenge--urged the magsistrate to direct the two(2) files be kept in a safe at the law courts to "avoid interference and alteration of the records.”

Said Mr Makori, “Following the admissions by the custodian of the two(2) arms movement registers that he altered the records and entries by deletion, superimposing signs, allowing a police officer to sign for two(2) weapons, allowing a police officer to sign return of a firearm issued to another officer, I urge this court to order these be kept in court for perusal pending determination of this inquest,” Mr Makori urged.

He also said the court needs to scrutinise the register keenly to establish the weapon issued to one officer--Isaiah Murangiri--who is suspected to have fatally shot activist Rex Masai on June 20, 2024.

National Police Service (NPS) lawyer Elias Odhiambo opposed the application saying “police can preserve the two(2) files properly.”

Mr Onsarigo over-ruled Mr Odhiambo and ordered the two(2) registers “to be kept in a Safe at the Milimani law courts pending determination of the inquest.”

Cpl Okapesi who testified on Monday (September 1, 2025) admitted that he made alterations and double entries in the arms movement register at the height of June 2024 protests.

Cpl Okapesi who issued firearms to officers, admitted that he deleted a name in the register and replaced it with that of Cpl Simon Waweru, whom the register shows he signed for two(2) weapons.

The officer who has admitted that he has served NPS for 25 years, also admitted he covered names deleted with a whiteout, oversigned on the register and allowed a police officer Bernard Ndari to sign for Police Woman Josphine Chelegat for a return of a weapon to the armory.

Pressed further during cross-examination, the officer insisted the signatures were not his and said the alterations were oversights and human errors which could not be avoided.

He described the changes as “an oversight”, but acknowledged the procedure was irregular.

The court was told that Corporal Benson Kamau, whose Facebook account raised a serious concern after he was linked to the shooting of a protester, had been issued with a firearm which he later returned to Corporal Githinji.

Mr Okapesi confirmed that he was in charge of issuing weapons and handled firearms for Corporal Isaiah Murangiri.

When Mr Murangiri testified, he claimed that he was issued with tear gas canister launcher, but photographs presented in evidence in court showed him with a short-gun.

The records showed Mr Murangiri was issued with arms on June 20, 21, and 22, but not on June 18.

Asked by lawyer Makori whether an officer could get a firearm from another police station, the witness said it was possible, but through permission of the sub-county commander, who has authority to approve such issuance.

He admitted the two registers contained discrepancies, including deletions, and inconsistencies.

He further explained that tear gas canisters are not stored at the Central Police Station Armory as they are considered too dangerous.

Mr Okapesi said the records indicated that Murangiri received rubber bullets when he had only acknowledged having a tear-gas canister launcher.

“The incident of June 19 should not be taken in isolation. I can make mistakes when writing because I am human. One(1) or two(2) mistakes cannot make a case,” he told the court.

Mr Okapesi maintained no officer could take a firearm without his details being captured in the movement book and denied claims that officers could sign for each other.

He also confirmed that “Alfa Mike” is an undercover police unit that was issued with guns during the demonstrations.

When Mr Okapesi was shown photographs said to be of CPL Murangiri during the protests, he declined to confirm the identity of the officer, saying it could have been that of Kamau unless he identified the officer physically.

An analyst, Henry Kiptoo Sang, who examined samples taken to the government chemistry for DNA sampling by IPOA, rhymed those samples taken from the body of the deceased activist.

The sample included soil of the scene where Masai was felled.

The trial of the inquest was adjourned to September 15, 2025, when the remaining six(6) witnesses are expected to testify.