Inquest into student’s death yet to conclude

It is now more than two years since the disfigured body of University of Nairobi student Mercy Keino was found lying on the roadside along Waiyaki Way.

It is also slightly over 18 months since a public inquest into her mysterious death started with a total of 37 witnesses out of the listed 70 testifying.

Ms Keino, who at the time was a Masters Student at UoN, died under mysterious circumstances on June 17 2011 after attending a party at Wasini Luxury Homes in Westlands, Nairobi.

Chief government pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor, who conducted an autopsy of the body testified that it was difficult to determine what killed her due to the multiple fractures she had.

According to Dr Oduor, the autopsy could not ascertain if Ms Keino was killed elsewhere and dumped on the road or whether she was hit and run over by a vehicle.

“Her body had a mixture of injuries that possible came before and after death. There were signs of bleeding before death and other signs which can only be inflicted when a person is already dead,” said Dr Owuor.

Director of Public Prosecution Keriako Tobiko had ordered a public inquest into her death after police investigations failed to establish the truth behind her mysterious death.

Governor mentioned

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo was the last witness to testify last week before the inquest was adjourned to December 4.

Mr Kabogo was adversely mentioned by witnesses who alleged that he organized the party at Wasini Luxury Homes and that he slapped Ms Keino before she stormed out of the party and later found dead by the roadside.

However, Mr Kabogo in his testimony denied assaulting Ms Keino and hosting a party where the student was last seen alive.

The inquest resumes on December 4.