Kenei's widow eulogises him as dedicated dad and husband

**Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei's widow Judith Yegon at Umash Funeral Home in Nakuru County on March 6, 2020.** [Harun Wathari/Standard]

Widow Judith Yegon has eulogised her late husband Kipyegon Kenei as a dedicated father to their children.

She described him as a "handsome warrior who had a deep sense of fashion and humour".

Yegon attended the funeral of her husband in Nakuru on Saturday, a ceremony attended by Deputy President William Ruto.

Sgt Kenei, an Administration Police Officer attached to the office of the Deputy President, was killed under mysterious circumstances.

His death was linked to the Sh39 billion fake firearms scandal.

Kenei was found dead on February 20 by neighbours who had not seen him, and when they closely examined his door, they realised it was not locked with a padlock but was slightly latched, which was unusual.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss George Kinoti said Kenei had on February 18 called a close friend and colleague asking for guidance on how statements are recorded, implying a willingness to do so as directed by his superiors.

While mourning his son at the funeral home, Kenei’s father, John Chesang, said the killers will not go unpunished.

Yegon's eulogy further read, "As the angels lead you to paradise, I will miss you my love, my warrior, and everything about you."

"Please watch over us from the other side. I love you. I promise to take care of our babies."

Admitting that the death had taken an emotional toll on her, Yegon said she would have needed her 'rock' husband for emotional support.

Kinoti said investigators are still mapping to know who they will summon for questioning.

Sources say Kenei was drugged and killed elsewhere, and then his body taken to his house.

"Since you have been gone, I sit and cry all night long from dusk to dawn."

Yegon went on, "When I was worried and uncertain about things, you assured me that it would be okay. You figured things out for me."

The police have put the Office of the Deputy President at the centre of the investigation into the death.

Kinoti said the role Kenei played in the fraudulent Sh39 billion arms tender may have led to his execution.

The sergeant’s killers apparently feared he was about to spill the beans.

“There is no doubt that that was a cold murder well-planned and executed. The motive of cold murder is very clear. It was simply to safeguard, protect, insulate and/or save the source from the adverse involvement and attendant consequences of using the country’s military procurement process in the most deceitful and fraudulent manner,” said Kinoti.

But DP Ruto has slammed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for "peddling lies and engaging in a smear campaign" against his office in its investigations into the murder.

Ruto asked the DCI to investigate and unravel who, why and how Kenei was murdered instead of treating Kenyans to drama and sideshows with endless press statements.

“The truth must be found on why, how, and who killed Sergeant Kenei,” he tweeted on Friday.

Ruto said what the family and the Office of the Deputy President and Kenyans want to see is the culprits of the heinous act held to account and not the ongoing drama, distortion, half-truths and smear campaigns in sponsored headlines.