Key witness to Julie Ward’s murder dies

By Peter Atsiaya

A key witness to the murder of British tourist Julie Ward has died jeopardising plans for a fresh inquiry.

Valentine Ohuru Kodipo, 36, died in a hospital in Denmark, where he has lived in exile for more than 20 years.

Kodipo testified on Ward’s murder, which happened in 1988 at Masai Mara Game Reserve, before seeking refuge in Denmark due to the sensitivity of the case.

Speaking to The Standard from Denmark yesterday, his wife Eliena said her husband died on Friday at 10pm.

"Doctors said my husband died of heart failure," she said.

A new inquiry into Ward’s death was agreed on after a secret visit by John Yates, the head of Scotland Yard’s anti-terrorism squad.