Postmortem examination on the body of self-confessed hit man who implicated Garissa Governor Ali Korane showed he died by hanging but mystery still reigns if it was a case of suicide or murder inside police cells.
Pathologists said although there were no defense marks arms or any other part of the body, they contend foul play cannot be ruled out subject to the outcome of the toxicological test of specimens taken.
Findings of the five hours autopsy on David Mwai Wanjiru’s by a team of three pathologists; two representing Government pathologist Johansen Oduor and another representing the Independent Medico Legal Unit (IMLU) opened a broad based investigations and unanswered questions if Mwai’s death was occasioned by self-induced hanging or a case of homicide. “We can confirm that David died from a ligature to his neck that was a nylon lining of his jacket.
“We also found other findings on his body that are in keeping with asphyxia or lack of oxygen and our conclusion is he died from compression to his neck from ligature and that is hanging.” Lead pathologist Dr Sylvester Maingi said. The pathologists, Dr Sylvester Maingi and Grace Midigo both representing Chief Government pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor alongside Dr Peter Ndegwa representing IMLU did not conclude on the manner of death.
“We have not concluded on the manner of death whether it was suicide or homicide. That is not our duty that is the duty of investigators.” Maingi added. This revelation now brings a new lead of investigations by a multi-agency team to establish if Mwai committed suicide or he was hanged. Blood specimens and DNA samples were taken to Government Chemist for a broad based toxicological analysis.
“We have taken blood samples and all other manner of samples including DNA analysis to rule out any possible chemical foul play that can incapacitate somebody and make him suspend the way he was supended.” Maingi added. Mwai is said to have confessed of shooting former Garissa County government Finance boss Idriss Mukhtar. Mukhtar family lawyer Charles Kanjama also said police established he was the second elimination target.
The findings showed two ligatures on his neck but there was no other any injuries found on the body. Parklands Police Station where the said suspect whose evidence could have been key in prosecuting the twin murder plot is not involved in the investigation, as it is a scene of crime. The probe being overseen by the Homicides department unit from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headed by DCI George Kinoti has brought on board other line agencies including the civilian oversight body, the independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Director of Public Prosecutions and lobby group against human rights atrocities IMLU.
“Our findings are that David does not have injuries to suggest that anybody was involved in his death. He does not have injuries on his head, his arms what we call defense injuries, his chest, abdomen or his lower limbs. The only injury that we found on David were two ligatures on his neck, one of the ligatures is a nylon jacket lining ligature which we have traced to inner lining of his jacket and it was 80 cm long and we have confirmed that is the ligature that was in contact with the ligature mark on his neck.” Maingi added.
The second ligature measuring 48 centimeters long was caused by a piece of a packing bag piece which pathologists said was broad based and had not made a mark since it did not put much pressure on his neck. Kanjama revealed that Idriss was pursuing two cases; compensation from his former employer for irregular dismissal from work and Garissa governor Ali Korane’sacademic qualifications. Mukhtar is still recuperating at Nairobi Hospital with a bullet still lodged in his head.
His family and Kanjama have expressed fear saying the probe has taken too long. Korane disassociated himself from the heinous act saying he stood to gain nothing from the gruesome attack. Toxicological tests will take up to a month before the results are made public. Korane, his brother Mohamed Korane and a woman are among six suspects questioned in connection to Mukhtar’s attempted murder.