Autopsy on Ruto guard set for today

Detectives outside the house of Kipyegon Kenei in Imara Daima, Nairobi, where he was found dead. [Jenipher Wachie, Standard]

Guards at the estate where an officer attached to the deputy president’s office used to live have said they last saw him three days before his body was found.

The six guards who were questioned by police yesterday said Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei was seen carrying mangoes on February 17 at about 4pm.

But they could not say whether any strange vehicles had driven into the estate or unknown people had accessed Kenei’s house in Villa Franca through two main gates.

“We don’t keep records of those coming in and out of the compound. We were shocked to learn about his death,” said an officer with knowledge of the investigation.

Kenei’s body was found in his house on February 20 with a gunshot wound to the head. A postmortem examination planned for today will hopefully shed more light on how he died.

The guards were told they did not have to record statements until after the autopsy had been done.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Director George Kinoti led a team of homicide detectives, doctors and a sketch artist back to the crime scene as investigations into the incident continue.

Kenei was scheduled to record a statement with the DCI on February 19 regarding an incident where former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and his accomplices visited the second floor of Harambee House Annex and signed a fake Sh39 billion arms deal.

The officer was in charge of security on that day and his death has thrown a wrench in the police investigation.

Junior officers

Five junior officers have recorded statements with the DCI and claimed they were instructed to grant Echesa and his guests access to the office.

Separately, Kenei’s father John Chesang has said the family will not make any burial arrangements until they know what happened to their son.

“I will be at peace to bury my son if I know what caused his death, who was behind it and what action has been taken against those who plotted the death,” said Mr Chesang.

The retired chief said he suspected Kenei might have been tortured, threatened with death and killed, and his body later taken to his house to conceal evidence.

“My son did not show any signs of committing suicide. I therefore want to know who he was with, his last movement and why was he killed.”

Speaking to The Standard at their home in Chamasis village, Rongai, Chesang said the family had not been allowed to view Kenei’s body, which is being preserved at the Chiromo mortuary in Nairobi.