Press Statement by the Okoa Uchumi Campaign **CONDOLENCES FOR REX’S FAMILY AND CONDEMNATION OF VIOLENCE**

We, the Okoa Uchumi Campaign, extend our deepest condolences to the family of Rex Masai during this immensely difficult time. Our hearts are heavy with grief for your loss, and our thoughts are with you. We unequivocally condemn the violence that has led to this tragic event. Such acts undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution, which are essential for the flourishing of our democracy and society. The violence using live bullets and dangerous crowd control weapons including faulty teargas canisters have resulted in injuries to Kenyans protesters and police officers policing the protests. Protesting is a constitutional right. Article 37 of our Constitution, “Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.” It protects a key element of safeguarding the power of the people delegated to elected representatives and other governments organs for participatory and accountable democracy.