Police launch probe into killing of KRA lawyer Ratemo

Law Society of Kenya President Isaac Okero addresses a gathering while standing next to a statue of Willy Kimani, a lawyer who was killed last year, at the Law Society of Kenya offices on June 27, 2017. He wants investigations done regarding the murder of a KRA lawyer. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The lawyer was abducted on Tuesday, just days after he travelled to Nairobi to address undisclosed tax matters.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko on Thursday ordered investigations into the killing of Jared Ratemo, a lawyer attached to the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Ratemo was found dead on Mombasa Road on Wednesday morning.

Motorists who saw the body alerted Embakasi Police Station.

The police officers identified Ratemo from his documents.

AUTOPSY
The body, which had head and neck injuries, was taken to Chiromo Mortuary.

A post-mortem examination was being conducted by the time of going to the press.

Embakasi DCIO Peter Ndubi dismissed speculation that Ratemo was shot.

“We are still investigating the circumstances under which he died, though we think he was killed elsewhere,” Mr Ndubi said.

ABDUCTED
The lawyer’s brother, Harun Mokua, said the father of three was abducted on Tuesday, just days after he travelled to Nairobi to address undisclosed tax matters.

“His phone went dead around 10 am on Tuesday. We attempted to contact him the whole day in vain,” Mr Mokua said.

He added that a few hours before his brother vanished, Ratemo was to fly back to Mombasa where he was stationed.

COVER-UP
It is not clear if Ratemo went to his Ngara office that morning as planned, but Mr Mokua did not give details, saying the matter was being investigated.

An email notifying staff about Ratemo’s death was circulated at KRA offices.

“Until his death, he was a supervisor at the Customs and Border Control Department in Mombasa,” the email said.

Law Society of Kenya president Isaac Okero said Ratemo may have been killed because of some sensitive investigations he was carrying out at KRA.