New twist in Jacob Juma’s murder probe as spent cartridges found

NAIROBI: Police have discovered two spent cartridges at the scene where the body of slain businessman Jacob Juma was found.

This breakthrough comes after an initial search of the scene did not yield the cartridges despite the fact that the car had more than five bullet holes, fuelling speculation the attackers were professional hitmen with cartridge holders to eliminate evidence.

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Ndegwa Muhoro saidyesterday they had to use a special equipment to recover the two cartridges. According to experts, the only special equipment the investigators could have used is a metal detector.

Muhoro said they had taken the cartridges to the ballistic experts for tests and analysis to establish if the weapon had been used elsewhere in the city or in the country.

Investigators now say the Monday evening discovery is a vital lead in resolving the murder mystery. The cartridges are currently undergoing ballistic tests.

“The probe is ongoing and we hope to crack the case soon. The two cartridges will be tested by experts to know if they were used in the attack and any other,” said Muhoro. He added it may take time to know the killers and motive. The investigators have been holding meetings to brainstorm on possible leads.

Muhoro said they are open to all theories as they progress with the investigation with hopes they will eliminate some of them and know the motive and those behind the killing.

“It looks complicated but we are pursuing all possible leads to ensure we know how it happened,” he said.

The team handling the case comprises officers from Homicide and Flying Squad.

Since the incident happened last Thursday, there has been speculation from various quarters, with pressure piling on police to arrest those behind the killing. Juma’s body was found in his car. He had gun wounds in the chest and neck, which indicated he was shot at close range. Two of the bullets were directed at the chest and five in the neck, a postmortem report showed. He also had a badly injured right hand.

Juma’s two mobile phones, a golden Rolex watch and Sh6,500 were among the personal effects found in the car after the shooting, police said.

Juma was a licensed gun holder and it is not clear if he was armed at the time of the attack.

The detectives have obtained the mobile data of Juma’s cell phones and they are studying them as part of the investigation. Part of the data shows Juma made his last call almost an hour before his body was found in the car.

He had left his Westlands apartment for his Karen home when he met his death.