MP wants Govt to explain officer's killing

The government has been tasked to explain to Parliament if the killing of a former senior police officer last week was related to the ongoing International Criminal Court Kenyan process.

Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojodeh undertook to give a ministerial statement on Tuesday next week explaining the circumstances that led to Mr Bernard Kimeli’s death.

Last week, Mr Kimeli a former Kiganjo Police Training College commandant was murdered at his home in Westlands after watching a football match. Nothing was stolen from the house.

He was found with stab wounds to the chest in Muguga Green estate, Westlands.

He retired in 2008 as deputy commissioner of police 1, just a rank below Kenya’s police boss.

Preliminary investigations showed he stayed up late the previous night watching football on TV with his son.

The son is said to have left the main house after the match and was asleep at adjacent quarters when the killing occurred.

He found out his father was dead after dawn and informed the police.

Criminal Investigations Director Ndegwa Muhoro was among senior officers who visited the scene of crime.

The body was found sprawled on the floor and detectives who attended the scene said there was an indication of struggle between Mr Kimeli and those who attacked him.

“This is a murder incident. The retired senior officer was watching football. He was alone in the house at the moment. There was no break in,” said Mr Muhoro.

Yesterday, Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara sought a ministerial statement to unravel the killing.

Mr Imanyara wants to know whether Mr Kimeli was a witness at the Waki Commission or not.

The Waki Commission looked into the causes of the chaos that left at least 1,133 people dead and 650,000 others displaced and its report is key in evidence ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo wants to use in his case.

Six individuals have since made their initial appearance at The Hague.

Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, Postmaster General Hussein Ali, MPs William Ruto, Henry Kosgey and radio presenter Joshua arap Sang will head back to ICC in September for the confirmation of charges hearing.

Mr Moreno-Ocampo has in the past raised issue over safety of witnesses following alleged threats issued against them.

Mr Imanyara sought to know whether the slain policeman gave “very” confidential evidence to the Waki team and if he had been listed as ICC witness.

The vocal MP also wants the government to confirm whether or not Mr Kimeli was to leave the country before he was murdered.

He regretted that many people have been killed in unclear circumstances yet the police only promised to investigate but nothing happened.

Mr Imanyara said as ICC prepares to hear the cases against the Ocampo Six there is need of government assurance for witnesses’ safety.