Rex Masai’s father: It is time for Gen Z to liberate this country
Chrispine Odawa, father of the late Rex Masai, has sent an encouraging message to Gen Z as the country commemorated lives lost during the 2024 anti-government protests.
In a candid conversation with a local TV station on the night of Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Odawa said that the time has come for the young generation to liberate the country.
“For Gen Z to go for and fight for their rights, is what they saw, parents struggling to educate them, and at the end of the day, they could not get whatever they felt they wanted in their life. What I could say to encourage Gen Z is, it is time to liberate this country because they saw what we did not see,” he said.
“We were struggling as parents to give them the best life with our small token, and we gave them a better education to at least get a good job and start life.”
Rex’s dream
He went on to say that, before Rex’s death, Rex was preparing to travel to Canada to chase his dream of becoming a surveyor.
“It is tough to educate a kid through lots of trouble. Rex was to travel to Canada, and we had already even processed his passport; his dream was to be a surveyor,”Odawa revealed.
“Rex’s dream was to be a surveyor, and that is what he did, but he ended up working at a casino, which was not his choice. I will still encourage Gen Z.”
Rex’s death
The 29-year-old was shot dead in Nairobi on June 20, 2024. His death quickly became a powerful rallying cry, igniting widespread outrage and sorrow across the country.
Memorial protest
Odawa’s encouragement comes after the youth led a memorial protest in memory of the Kenyans who were killed during the 2024 anti-government demos.
These individuals have become symbols of a generation’s fight for justice and accountability in Kenya.
Rex Kanyeki Masai, 29, was shot dead in Nairobi on June 20, 2024. His death quickly became a powerful rallying cry, igniting widespread outrage and sorrow across the country. Abdi Kadir, 24, died in the hospital weeks later, on July 16, after being shot during the first wave of protests. He was laid to rest the following day.
Evans Kiratu died after being hit by a tear gas canister while police were dispersing protesters. The injuries he sustained proved fatal. Eric Shieni, a university student who was set to graduate in September, also lost his life near Parliament. He had been living in South B with his brother, and his future was full of promise.
David Chege, a computer science graduate from JKUAT, had been working as a freelance IT expert. He died near Parliament as well, a tragic loss of young talent and potential. Beasley Kamau went missing after joining the protests. His body was discovered at the City Mortuary on June 26, sparking public anger and demands for answers.
Ibrahim Kamau, just 19 years old, had recently completed high school and hoped to become an electrician. He was shot twice in the neck during the storming of Parliament and died from his injuries. The youngest victim, 12-year-old Kennedy Onyango, was killed during the protests in Rongai. His death left the nation heartbroken and in mourning.
