William Kabogo, Charles Keter to face death probe

A Nairobi court Tuesday summoned Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Kericho Senator Charles Keter to appear before an inquest into the mysterious death of University of Nairobi student Mercy Keino.

Senior principal magistrate Peter Ndwiga gave the orders following complaints by State counsel Peter Omirera that some of the remaining 36 witnesses were uncooperative and attempts to reach them had been unsuccessful.

“The witnesses have been uncooperative, they do not pick their phones when we try to reach them and fail to honour our appointments whenever we send someone,” said Mr Omirera.

Mr Kabogo is wanted to give his side of the story after being adversely mentioned in the death of Ms Keino on June 17, 2011. She died after attending a party hosted by the governor at Wasini Luxury Homes in Westlands, Nairobi County.

Mr Keter, who at the time was the Belgut MP, was among the people who led calls for investigations into the death of Ms Keino.

In yesterday’s hearing, a senior police officer who led investigations into the death said he concluded that the death might have been as a result of a hit and run accident. The officer had failed to get any leads into possible murder and foul play.

Senior Superintendent John Otieno testified that their investigations revealed that the deceased was excessively drunk on the fateful night and could have been hit by a speeding vehicle.

“Upon conclusion of the investigations, it became clear in my mind that the lady must have been knocked by a passing motorist after storming out of the party at Wasini,” said Mr Otieno.

Asked how he arrived at that conclusion, Mr Otieno said his team reviewed the pathologist’s report which confirmed the deceased had consumed high amounts of alcohol and also relied on the testimony of a witness who saw her waving to motorists only to see her again lying dead on the roadside.

He added that the theory of whether Ms Keino was killed elsewhere and dumped on Waiyaki Way did not cross his mind since they did not have any evidence suggesting foul play.

He however confirmed that a review of the CCTV footage and witness accounts showed that Ms Keino had a disagreement with Mr Kabogo before she stormed out of the party.

“We gathered that Mr Kabogo slapped the lady and ordered his security to take her out. The footage showed that she was drunk, staggering and messing around,” said Otieno. Asked how Ms Keino ended up at the party, Mr Otieno said their investigations had showed that a certain woman had put up an advert on the Internet calling on interested girls to attend the party.

“To me it seemed like a party by men who wanted the company of ladies. Mr Kabogo’s friend then contacted a lady who put up an advert through the Internet for the ladies to come,” said Mr Otieno.

Ms Keino died in unexplained circumstances. Her disfigured body was found on the road.

The hearing continues Wednesday.

Reported by PAUL OGEMBA [email protected] AND THOMAS KARIUKI [email protected]