Motorist who killed cyclist with Fidel Odinga's car was drunk - police
The sport utility vehicle belonging to Raila Odinga's son, Fidel Odinga, that hit and killed a cyclist on Ring Road in Kilimani. The vehicle was being held at Kilimani Police Station in Nairobi. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
A Nairobi motorist who hit and killed a cyclist while driving a vehicle belonging to Raila Odinga's son, Fidel, was under the influence of alcohol, a court heard on Tuesday.
Mr Robert Kimuchu Gichuru, son of a former Kenya Power managing director, Samuel Gichuru, was drunk beyond the required limit, police said.
He failed a breathalyser test, which indicated he had points exceeding the legal limit by 0.01mg/l of breath at the time of the accident.
Mr Kimuchu was on Tuesday charged at the Milimani traffic court with three counts relating to the accident.
DANGEROUS DRIVING
Fidel Odinga stands outside Kabete Police Station on May 25, 2011 after recording a statement over a scuffle with a matatu driver. PHOTO | FILE
The first charge against Mr Kimuchu is causing death by dangerous driving.
It stated that on September 28 at about 6am along Ring Road in Kilimani, while driving a Range Rover with registration number KAY 939L, he drove dangerously without regard to other road users and failed to control the vehicle, which veered off to the right side of the road and hit cyclist Lunale Kinzito Shikuta, causing his death as he cycled on the pavement.
The second charge stated that he drove while under the influence of alcohol.
Mr Kimuchu was also charged with driving a vehicle on a public road without a driving licence.
An alternative charge stated that he failed to carry the licence as required by traffic rules.
The suspect denied all charges and was released on a cash bail of Sh300,000.
Six witnesses are listed to testify on October 23, when the case will be heard.
