MP proposes formation of House team to probe deaths of prominent personalities

Kenya: A House committee, similar to that which investigated former Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Ouko's death could be constituted to probe the deaths of CORD senators Otieno Kajwang', Mutula Kilonzo and former premier Raila Odinga's son, Fidel.

ODM MP Ken Obura (Kisumu Central) has filed a notice of motion in the National Assembly seeking the formation of a committee that would investigate the circumstances surrounding the three deaths. There has been much speculation over the deaths.

"Concerned that the causes of death of these prominent national leaders have been shrouded in mystery creating unnecessary anxiety, this House resolves to establish a select committee to comprehensively investigate the causes of death, consider and review all related findings and table its report within 90 days," reads the motion.

Should the House approve the committee's formation, it could open a fresh chapter in the drive to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Mutula was found dead in his house on April 23, 2013 . The postmortem results were inconclusive.

His family now claims the postmortem samples obtained from his body were tampered with. His son, now Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, recorded a statement with the CID over the claims.

Senator Kajwang' died on November 18 last year at Mater hospital moments after he checked in.

And Fidel, like Mutula, was found dead in his bedroom on the morning of January 4. The results of postmortem samples flown to Germany by his family are yet to be released.

Apart from the mover of the motion, who shall also be its chairman, other members of the team would be Soipan Tuya (Narok, Vice-Chairperson), Ababu Namwamba (Budalang'i), Adan Keynan (Eldas) and Aisha Juma (Kilifi).

Others are Bare Shill (Fafi), Jared Opiyo (Awendo), Dennis Waweru (Dagoretti South) Charles Mongare (North Mugirango), Mary Emase (Teso South), Michael Kisoi (Mbooni), Sabina Chege (Murang'a), Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi) and Robert Pukose (Endebes).

"Kenyans have been asking what killed these three people. Since Government pathologists have not told us what killed them, it is important that Parliament finds out the truth," said Obura.

Other than the Gor Sunguh-led committee that investigated Ouko's death, the National Assembly has in the past formed a team to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of former Nyandarua North MP JM Kariuki.

Both committees completed their reports and tabled them before the House. While that of JM Kariuki was adopted with alterations, the House rejected that of Ouko.