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Plot Twist: Was the man who gave up his seat for Uhuru Kenyatta assassinated?

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 Former lawyer and uncle to the late Kanu nominated MP Mark Too, Simon Chepsiror Lilan addresses the press in Eldoret town yesterday.

Former nominated MP Mark Too was assassinated, his lawyer claimed yesterday.

The fresh allegation by lawyer Simion Lilan threw a new twist into the death of the former lawmaker, who died at Eldoret’s St Luke Hospital on New Year’s Eve.

Lilan also claimed that there was a conspiracy to cover up the sudden death and called for an independent pathologist to carry out a post-mortem. “All surrounding events prior to and after the death of Mark Too point to the irresistible conclusion that he was assassinated and there is a deliberate scheme to cover up the incident," he said at a press conference in Eldoret yesterday.

Too's family, however, dismissed the advocate's claims, saying "he is not in any way related to the family" and had no capacity to speak on their behalf. They said the remarks should be treated "with contempt".

Christopher Too, the deceased's older brother, accused the advocate of disrespecting the family during this mourning period.

"If he had been talking about something he knows about what caused the death, he would have been accompanied by some family members. We are content with the Chief Government pathologist's report with regards to what caused my brother's death," said the older Too.

He said a post-mortem conducted at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi yesterday indicated that Too died as a result of an aneurysm – a condition where the artery supplying blood to the brain burst.

But according to Lilan, there was a deliberate attempt to block the family from preserving the body in Eldoret's Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

EMPTY FRIDGES

"The family, through Moses Too, son of the deceased, had been told the morgue was full. But when I went to the facility, I was told there were seven empty fridges. I even discovered that the morgue attendants had been instructed to prepare an executive fridge in readiness to receive Too's body," he said.

The lawyer said the decision to move the body to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi was part of the conspiracy to hide the truth about Too's death and the events surrounding it. He noted that Too might have died of a lethal injection which "would be difficult for a Government pathologist to detect".

Preliminary investigations indicated that the former assistant minister suffered cardiac arrest. He was 60.

But his lawyer differed with the conclusion on the cause of death and called for an independent post-mortem.

"The truth about what killed him will never been known if there is no independent forensic autopsy by an independent expert devoid of influence from any quarters," he said.

DYING SUDDENLY

Saying his client was in robust health before collapsing in his bathroom and dying suddenly, the lawyer hinted at the deceased's vast property and political interests as likely factors if indeed he was killed.

"In September last year, Too told me he wanted to sell some property in Nakuru to facilitate his son, Moses' campaigns for the Kapseret constituency parliamentary seat in the coming elections," Lilan said.

The advocate's claims went contrary to the family's wishes to avoid any speculation over Too's death.

"In this time of profound grief, as a family, we are trying to come to terms with the loss and we are extremely hurt and agitated by a lot of rumours over his death," Sophie, Too's widow, told the press at their Maziwa home a day after his death.

Yesterday, the family convened a press conference at home to dismiss the claims of assassination.

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, who was in the company of Too's family, also dismissed the advocate's claims.

"The advocate should immediately visit the nearest police station and report whatever he knows about the death of Too instead of making unfounded claims. The family is mourning and they should be accorded privacy and support," said Mr Sudi.

Meanwhile, Jacob Yego, the burial committee chairman, said Too would be buried at his Maziwa farm next Monday. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to attend.

"We expect both local and international dignitaries as Too had many friends far and wide," said Mr Yego.

Too was born in Ndebunet, Nandi County, in 1952 and attended Ndebunet Primary School. He served as an assistant minister in retired President Daniel arap Moi's government. He was forced to resign in 2001 to pave the way for Uhuru Kenyatta.

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