Maina Njenga: The government killed my wife!

Njenga, on Wednesday, buried his wife Grace Wairimu at his Theria farm in Laikipia, seven months after she was shot dead, says he had planned for the day and burial date long before the withdrawal of the ICC case facing President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He said he chose to have the burials at his father’s farm to avoid the chaos that have pitted former Mungiki youths, Maasais and police which would have resulted in bloodshed and destruction. This is after armed Maasai youths vowed not to allow the burial in Kitengela.

He said he didn’t want to be drawn into the discussion over the President’s case or that of Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang.

Njenga maintained that he is fully convinced that the Government killed his wife and nephew, who were riding with him in the convoy of vehicles that was sprayed with bullets on their way to Nyahururu. He escaped with minor injuries.

He now says he is not in a hurry to marry another wife.

In 2010, Njenga buried his other wife Virginia Nyakio in Kitengela, whose mutilated body was discovered together with those of two senior Mungiki adherents. Police were blamed for the deaths which came at the peak of a Government crackdown on the outlawed sect, in 2008.

He alleged that prominent people in Government had hired criminals to kill him in the latest incident.

“We know that this was the work of Government leaders who want to silence us. Some people have received money to kill us so that they can enjoy the power they now have,” said Njenga.

He claimed that his political affiliations had contributed to his woes. “I know why this is happening to me, but I will continue to work for the Lord as well as Kenyans. Why do you kill a person just because you want power?” he wondered.

Njenga allegedly recorded a statement with ICC investigators regarding the post-election violence in Botswana. He told a local paper in May this year that: “They told me that I just say what I knew before I recorded a statement, but the court has not confirmed to me if I am a witness. This attack is very much related to the ICC case.” He blamed the Government for perpetrating extra judicial killings.

“These people are the ones to blame for the deaths. We in the rural areas are peaceful but the leaders are the ones inciting us. This should not happen in a modern society,” he said.

Tight security

He urged Kenyan youth to desist from crime, saying that this is the only way the country can move forward.

Njenga maintained that he would continue spreading the word of God despite the closure of his Kitengela-based church.

Just like in Nyakio’s funeral, former members of the sect, who attended the burial, were dressed in black suits and ties.

Wairimu was buried alongside Maina’s nephew Dickson Mwangi. Security was tightened and young men associated with Njenga were frisked on arrival at the gate.

Police officers stayed some few metres away from the event, opting to let the youth take charge of their own security.

Though armed, police officers kept their distance and did not interfere with the proceedings.

Together with Njenga, gospel musician Elizabeth Nyambere, who is the mother of Wairimu, entertained the crowd with a song she had composed in honour of her first-born daughter.