Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Mathira Member of Parliament Rigathi Gachagua have been summoned to court over former Governor Wahome Gakuru’s death.
Principal magistrate Wendy Kagendo also issued the order for the arrest of Sergent John Wanami, Sergent Martin Simiyu, Corporal Francis Kisavi, and Police Constable John Kivuva after they failed to appear at the scene.
Kagendo ordered Governor Kahiga to appear before her court to explain a statement he made after Gakuru’s death.
Gakuru’s family lawyer, Mary Weru, applied for the summoning of the Governor saying that it was prudent for Kahiga to shed light since he was a direct beneficiary of Gakuru’s death.
“Your honor, it’s good if the Governor appears in court, he made this remark in public at Kimathi University, and as such let him shed light on it,” submitted Weru.
In November 2017, during a requiem mass of the late Governor, Kahiga said that he had warned Gakuru not to use his Mercedes Benz due to its mechanical state.
Prosecutor Martha Ndung’u said that the late Gakuru had started investigating a case of misappropriation of public funds during the tenure of Nyeri’s first governor, Nderitu Gachagua, who was a brother to the MP.
In regard to Gachagua, the lawyer said that he must also appear in court to testify due to the fact that before the Governor’s death, he had instituted an audit on the use of funds, some of which he was said to have misappropriated during his bother’s era.
Kagendo noted that Gachagua was a person of interest in the inquest and as such he should also appear.
The magistrate directed the officer commanding Makuyu police division to effect the arrest of the four police officers.
Prosecutor Kennedy Magoma applied for their arrest for disobeying court order.
“The four officers were aware of the case. In fact, summons have been issued and as such I apply for their warrant of arrest for them to explain what happened in a professional manner,” said Magoma.
Kagendo said it was unfortunate that the four officers had made her court waste public money on to visit the scene of accident.
The case is set to be head on September 23rd and 24th.