Why Kabete MP George Muchai was killed

Slain Kabete MP George Muchai was a troubled man by the time he was murdered on the morning of Saturday, February 7.

He had tried to reinforce his personal security before his driver, two body guards and himself were shot dead by a lone marksman suspected to have been either a skilled mercenary, hired assassin or police officer.

Muchai had become increasingly jittery about his safety and was in the process of acquiring the services of a chase car, complete with three close protection officers (CPOs) as part of his security detail.

The lover of Mugithi nights had confided in the boss of a private security firm, from where he wanted to procure extra security, telling him about the intended attempts on his life.

The Nairobian has established that Muchai seemed to have had enemies in political and business circles, real estate, COTU where he was the deputy secretary general, gangland and even within his own family.

Jane Mugo, head of Trimo Security and Private Investigators, explains that the tragedy of Muchai was that “he had no idea where the potential threat lay. What he was sure about was that real enemies were likely to take advantage of his many problems to cause him harm.”

Muchai had met Mugo twice in 2012 and December 2014 over security concerns.

Their last meeting before the killers - who are still out there - accomplished their mission, drew a portrait of a desperate man who was not taking chances anymore.

The MP was ready to meet the extra cost for his personal security.

He told Mugo that a business complex he was putting up in Kamulu was a source of envy. The construction was being done by a Chinese firm. Some people were not happy over this achievement, he said. They feared Muchai’s entry would offer ‘serious competition.’

On January 16, 2015, the legislator sought Jane Mugo’s help.

He wanted security lapses around him sealed to ward off potential threats, which he linked to his political power and wealth.

The duo briefly met at a hotel in Westlands where Muchai agreed to hire the chase car and trained CPOs.

But the plan of scaling up Muchai’s security detail was to remain a guarded secret even to his bodyguards and driver.

Mugo purchased three chase cars in anticipation of signing the contract with Muchai, who had indicated he would do so upon returning from a trip in Mombasa. “I am disturbed that he met his death before I could offer this service,” she says.

The MP alongside his police bodyguards Samuel Lekakeny Montata and Samuel Kimathi Kairingia, and driver Stephen Ituu Wambugu were murdered in cold blood, last Saturday. “His blood will haunt the killers and security agencies that ignored the threat to his life,” she adds.

The camouflaged CPOs were to provide advance surveillance, sniff out any lurking danger and keep vigil around the MP. He had been advised that his enemies would not necessarily use guns, and that explosives planted in his car, food or drink laced with poison could still cause lethal harm.

Police are pursuing several theories to catch the killers.

One account offered by a police officer in the Muchai murder investigation was that the brutal killing could have been centred on a piece of land in Ruai where Muchai had an interest.

The MP was embroiled in an ownership tussle with an official in the security arm of the Kenya government, and who officers on the case reckon could be a ‘person of interest’ in connection to Muchai’s murder.

A senior resident of Ruai told The Nairobian that the MP was embroiled in “a series of land disputes” in Ruai and the neighbouring Kamulu area.