Status of investigations into Gen Z deaths during anti-tax protests

Youth run for cover during protests against the Finance Bill, 2024.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a breakdown of the status of action taken on inquiry files of deaths and related injuries reported during the June 2024 Gen Z protests.

The ODPP noted that it has received a number of inquiry files from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) since June 19, 2024, touching on the cases.

DPP Renson Ingonga said he has given various directions including closure of some files, directed for further investigations by Ipoa or the Inspector General of the National Police Service on others, where appropriate, in accordance with the law.

A statement released to media houses on Wednesday said the case of Dominic Wanjala Mutua, a journalist, has been referred back to Ipoa for further investigations.

Wanjala was allegedly hit by a teargas canister fired directly at him by a police officer at close range on June 18, 2024, as he was covering protests within the Nairobi CBD.

On the death of Evans Kiratu Karobia, the DPP said an inquest file was registered on August 15, 2025 and the same has proceeded with one witness testifying.

Ingonga said the inquest case is coming up for further hearing on June 18, 2025.

“There are seven more witnesses remaining,” he noted.

Kiratu reportedly died on June 20, 2024 within Nairobi CBD from multiple organ injuries due to blunt force trauma.

“With no person having come forward to record any statement and noting that he had no gunshot wounds, the DPP referred the matter to a public inquest vide MCCR Inquest No. E008 of 2024.”

The DDP said seven witnesses have testified in an inquest into the death of Rex Kanyike Masai and the matter is coming up for hearing on May 12, 2024, and further hearings have been fixed for June 9 and June 19, 2025.

On the shooting to death of Gianna Markel Obonyo, the DPP said the subject bullet had not been released by the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) authorities to Ipoa for ballistics examination.

“The DPP shall review the case and make further directions once the investigations file is resubmitted with the ballistics report.”

Obonyo reportedly suffered a gunshot wound at the lower back on June 25, 2024 while riding a bicycle in her parents’ compound.

Ingonga said the ODPP case teams are also conducting evidential analysis into the alleged shooting to death of Andrew Mwawasi.

Mwawasi was reportedly shot at Githurai 44 in Nairobi.

Ipoa investigations file was received by ODPP on July 18, 2024, it was reviewed and sent back for further investigations, Ingonga said.

“File resubmitted to ODPP from Ipoa on September 19, 2024, but still lacks crucial information from the Kenya Defence Forces,” the ODPP said.

On Tillan Odhiambo (deceased), the DPP directed that the inquiry file be closed due to the fact that the available medical evidence from the pathologist did not disclose any offence or foul play.

Similarly, in the case of Lewis Mroso (deceased), in line with the recommendations by Ipoa, the DPP directed that the file be closed due to the lack of evidence showing police involvement and also due to lack of eye witnesses as to how the deceased was injured.

In line with Ipoa's recommendation, the DPP also directed that inquiry file death of Sammy Cullen Maina be closed as there was no evidence of police involvement.

In its place, he directed the investigations be taken over by the police for further enquiry regarding the suspected traffic related homicide.

On Frankline Ondwari’s case, the DPP said he died by suspected suicide after having been released from police custody, adding that the allegations of abduction by the police could not be established.