Police seek man over murder of diplomat

Police are looking for a man they say is a close friend of a Venezuelan embassy official who is in custody over the murder of the ambassador.

Police said Mr Muhammed Ahmed Mohammed Hassan is a friend of the first secretary at the embassy, Mr Dwight Saragay, who appeared in court on Monday over the death of Ms Olga Fonseca.

Police believe Mr Hassan, who is said to have been Mr Saragay’s personal assistant, may have crucial information that could help solve the murder.

Police said since the body of the ambassador was found at her Runda residence, Mr Hassan had not been seen and could not be reached on his phone.

On Tuesday, police spokesman Eric Kiraithe circulated a photo of the man to the media and urged the public to volunteer information on his whereabouts.

“Any person with information on his whereabouts is requested to report to the nearest police station or police officer,” said Mr Kiraithe.

A warrant for his arrest was also issued on Tuesday.

Mr Hassan was last seen with Mr Saragay and the embassy driver, Mr Kevin Lameck Akodhe.

Mr Akodhe told the Nation that he drove Mr Hassan and Mr Saragay to the Village Market for a drink.

“Muhammed was a friend of Dwight but he acted like his personal assistant,” said Mr Akodhe, who has been with the embassy for three years.

According to the Diplomatic Police, Mr Hassan and Mr Saragay were keenly following investigations into sexual harassment allegations reported at Gigiri in April this year.

However, only Mr Saragay recorded a statement.

The two maintained that if police did not pursue the sexual harassment case against former ambassador Gerarto da Silva, the reputation of the embassy risked being put into disrepute.