Former Chief Whip George Thuo quarrelled with wife days before his death, court hears

The late Juja MP and former Chief Whip George Thuo had a disagreement with his wife days before he met his death, a trial court heard.

Thuo's wife Judy Wamaitha told the court that she failed to pick up her husband from the airport after jetting in from India. She said after failing to find her at home, Thuo was not happy.

High Court judge Roselyne Korir heard that there was tension in their relationship and they went for a drive on the fateful day to try and resolve their differences.

"You never went to meet your husband at JKIA after he arrived from India since he was suspicious of you. He even told you never to go to the office, never to touch his cars and keys to cabinets," defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta posed during cross-examinations.

Wamaitha told the court on November 17, the fateful day, they were to have a reconciliation meeting with Catholic priest Dominic Wamugunda with the second accused Christopher Lumbasyo in attendance.

However, the meeting was not successful and they drove to Kitengela where they spent about four hours, she said.

"I did not call any meeting but Father Wamugunda and Lumbasyo convened the meeting. We had a normal argument after he arrived from India. We talked over the same and it was over," she told the court. "We left for home at around 6.30pm and on our way home Thuo made a call to someone at Porkies restaurant requesting for reservation as he wanted to go and watch a Formular One race."

Wamaitha told the court she did not know who had received the call.

On getting home, she said, her husband then changed clothes and left for Porkies.

She told the court that she received the first call from Thuo at around 8.30pm telling her about the game.

The second call she received, she said, was from Lumbasyo informing her that Thuo had collapsed while having a drink.

"I told him to prepare so that we rush him to Aga Khan but he told me he was not able to move and suggested that we take him to Thika Nursing Home for First Aid," Wamaitha said.

During cross-examination by defence lawyer John Khaminwa, she told the court that her husband was of sound health and did not have any pre-existing medical condition.

Wamaitha said on getting to the hospital, she called him, shook him then asked the doctors whether they had checked his blood pressure.