Investigator demands public inquest in Gakuru’s death

The late Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru's wife Catherine Wahome joined by her thee sons and relatives during Gakuru's burial. The governor died in an accident exactly three months after his election. [Kibata Kihiu, Standard]

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is pushing for a public inquest into the death of former Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru.

The DCI has already written to a Court in Nyeri, making the demand.

“Forwarded herewith, please find the captioned duplicate police file for your perusal and placement for hearing date,” read the DCI letter dated last August 14.

Dawn crash

Gakuru was killed in a road accident on the Nyeri-Nairobi highway early morning on November 7, last year. He was aged 51.

Gakuru’s death came in the space of nine months after his predecessor Nderitu Gachagua’s . The latter succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on February 24, last year.

Gakuru’s Mercedes Benz E250 rammed a highway guardrail. The rail ran though the front part of the car, fatally impaling Gakuru and exiting on the back.

The governor was with his personal assistant Albert Gakuru, his body guard Ahmed Abdi and the driver Samuel Kinyanjui Wanyaga at the time of the accident.

Gakuru’s personal assistant, Albert, had his right hand severed. He also suffered a broken right leg. Mr Abdi on the other hand, had his legs seriously injured. Mr Wanyaga sustained minor injuries.

Transferred to Nairobi

Albert and Abdi were later transferred to a Nairobi hospital for specialised treatment.

Gakuru was said to be heading to Nairobi for an interview in one of the local vernacular stations.

Residents of Nyeri could not understand how Gakuru’s car, known for its stability on the road, could have been involved in such an accident.

“It is very bizarre that such a small car can cause such extensive damage to the guard rails,” a witness stated at the time of the accident. “One would think it was a lorry that was involved in an accident of this magnitude.”

According to residents interviewed, the impact of Gakuru’s death is still profound in Nyeri, especially for those who overwhelmingly voted for him on August 8 last year, exactly three months before he met his death.

After Gakuru died, his Deputy Mutahi Kahiga replaced him. Last May, Mr Kahiga appointed Caroline Karugu to deputise him.

To commemorate Gakuru, Kahiga held Wahome Gakuru Memorial Marathon. Deputy President William Ruto participated.

The matter filed at the criminal registry in Nyeri Law Courts will be mentioned on January 16.