Businessman Jacob Juma shot dead in Nairobi

Ms Miriam Juma, widow of slain businessman Jacob Juma, and Cord leader Raila Odinga leave Lee Funeral Home on May 6, 2016 after viewing the body of her husband, who was killed in Nairobi on May 5, 2016. PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Police say nothing was stolen from the businessman as two mobile phones and cash were found in the vehicle.
  • The NLC had accused Mr Juma of fraudulently acquiring a nine-acre piece of land off Mombasa Road.

Businessman Jacob Juma was shot dead Thursday night by unknown gunmen in Nairobi.

Police say Mr Juma was killed at 10 pm near Lenana School.

His bullet-riddled vehicle was found in a ditch. The vehicle had 10 bullet holes.

Police say nothing was stolen from the businessman as two mobile phones and cash were found in the vehicle.

Mr Juma was a contractor who also had interests in mining and never shied away from controversy.

He had a litany of winding criminal and civil suits.

Businessman Jacob Juma at a past interview. He was shot dead by unknown gunmen near Lenana School in Nairobi on May 5, 2016. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

He was the managing director of Erad Supplies, which had sued the National Cereals and Produce Board over a contract to deliver 40,000 tonnes of maize.

Mr Juma sued the State corporation seeking Sh500 million for alleged breach of contract.

He never supplied the maize but claimed he incurred heavy losses in profits and storage costs.

MINING COMPANY

The businessman was earlier this year named in a National Land Commission (NLC) report and at one time sued Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.

The NLC had accused Mr Juma of fraudulently acquiring a nine-acre piece of land off Mombasa Road.

The businessman and former President Daniel Moi’s son Jonathan Toroitich Moi are alleged to have acquired the government land, on which Kings Business Park sits.

The NLC had recommended that the title initially issued to Sakir Properties be revoked.

In August last year, Mr Juma filed a case seeking to have Dr Kidero's accounts frozen claiming the governor received Sh650 million on behalf of Mumias Sugar Company and failed to deposit it.

Mr Juma relied on allegations made by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who claimed that Dr Kidero received the funds on behalf of Mumias Sugar as envisaged in the sales agreement between Mumias and YH Wholesalers in 2012 for the sale of 13,450 metric tons of sugar.

Senator Khalwale said the money was never deposited in Mumias Sugar Company accounts.

Mr Juma had also in 2015 sued then Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala for revoking the licence of his company, Cortec Mining Kenya.

Mr Balala struck out Cortec's licence after the firm claimed it had identified commercially viable mineral deposits estimated at Sh61 trillion in the Mrima Hills, Kwale County.

The bullet-riddled vehicle belonging to businessman Jacob Juma, who was shot dead by unknown gunmen on May 5, 2016. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

POLICE INVESTIGATION

Police spokesman Charles Owino said: “we are calling on any person who could have witnessed the shooting or has any information to volunteer to the police.”

He said investigators would look into “every aspect” and make a decision.

Mr Owino added: “Detectives know their job and will not be swayed by the many theories already [on] social media that can make one deviate from the facts.”

EUROBOND LINK

Elsewhere, Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) co-principal Raila Odinga linked Mr Juma's death to the Eurobond saga.

Speaking at Lee Funeral Home, where he viewed the body, Mr Odinga said Mr Juma had a lot of information on the Eurobond and he suspected that was the reason he was killed.

He described Mr Juma as an active person who exposed ills in the society and was unbowed by anybody.

“Mr Juma had a lot of information [on] how the money was moved and stolen and we suspect that is why he was killed,” said Mr Odinga.

He said Mr Juma had called him on Thursday at noon seeking his audience but he told him he had a lunch commitment and planned to be at Parliament but assured him that he would call him in the evening.

He urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure that the lives of Kenyans are protected.