Family and friends have bid farewell to anti-finance bill protester Rex Kanyike Masai, who died during the height of the demonstrations.
They gathered at St. Stephens Church along Jogoo Road, where his family became emotional while viewing his body, with some needing assistance from first aid officials.
Rex was honoured as a patriot in a mass attended by hundreds. He died on June 20th, the first casualty in the anti-finance bill demonstrations organized by Gen Z to oppose the proposed Finance Bill 2024.
Rex's mother, Gillian, thanked Kenyans for their support and called him the strength of her youth. "I remember my first feeling breastfeeding you. You were my bundle of joy. I remember our first milestones. Rex, my first patient, you turned my finger into a thermometer. You taught me to be a teacher, lawyer, stepping in when you were hurt by anyone. Here you are, teaching me how to live without you. Rex, why?" she recalled about finding him lifeless.
"Rex, my love, here we are today. You left me with no last words, nothing, but only receiving a call, finding you lifeless. Sincerely, this is more than labor pains. May the Lord even teach me how to delete your number from my phone. I don't know how to delete your number," she said, bidding him goodbye.
His grandmother, Nana, asked Kenyans to pray for the family. "Rex was my first grandson. The Bible says God loves youth. I thank you youths, and I am asking you to continue to fight for justice for all the children, those who died. God will give you power. You mothers, you have to stand for your children. Ask God to cover them with the blood of Jesus."
Rex's sister Alicia and brother Wesley read their tributes, mourning his death.
His cousins eulogized him, speaking about what a soft-spoken man he was, who had big ambitions and took on a big brother role to many of them. They appreciated his mentorship and guidance.
"Rex has left our hearts so heavy. We used to idolize him because he was the eldest. We wanted to be associated with Rex through his poetry, his art," said a cousin named Tevin Odour.
"He took a bullet for all of us. I pray that we keep on pushing for justice to be served. I want us all to uphold the name of Rex."
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