Video tape rejected at inquest on Mercy Keino
CID officer Edward Kiptum during the inquest into the death of Mercy Keino. The court rejected his report on the CCTV footage he presented. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU
What you need to know:
- CID officer Edward Kiptum was stood down and ordered to review all the footage and “single out the chaotic and critical moments” before the material is presented afresh.
- In one of the clips, a woman is seen kicking at two men at the entrance before they subdue her and drag her upstairs.
An inquest into the death of university student Mercy Keino on Wednesday rejected closed circuit TV footage of events at a party she was attending after it emerged there were more cameras that could have recorded her last moments.
After ordering a DVD presented at the inquest to be replayed, Nairobi magistrate Peter Ndwiga said certain clips had been omitted.
CID officer Edward Kiptum, who presented the DVD, was stood down and ordered to review all the footage and “single out the chaotic and critical moments” before the material is presented afresh.
The DVD was sent back to CID headquarters for re-examination and analysis after the parties agreed that an authenticating certificate presented in court was incomplete.
The footage shown in court only showed the arrival of guests at the parking lot of the party venue, Wasini Luxury Homes in Nairobi’s Westlands, but did not show the lobby, a private room and the bar.
The parties agreed that six other cameras existed but footage from only two was selected.
In one of the clips, a woman is seen kicking at two men at the entrance before they subdue her and drag her upstairs.
Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has been adversely mentioned by witnesses who claim he organised the party and that he slapped Ms Keino before she stormed out and was later found dead. (READ: Kabogo, Keter to face death probe)
He has denied assaulting Ms Keino and hosting the party.
Proceedings continue on Thursday. (READ: Inquest into student’s death yet to conclude)
