Johnstone Muthama: Murdered envoy had told me of death threats

 

Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has told a Nairobi court that the murdered Venezuelan ambassador had informed him that she feared for her life.

Muthama, who had leased out his premises to the Venezuelan Embassy in Nairobi, said the envoy, Olga Fonseca, had complained about harassment by employees of the embassy.

"The ambassador had raised complaints that she was afraid and she felt threatened. She said her keys were being hidden and that she was forced to spend nights at a certain hotel," Muthama said during cross-examination.

Fonseca was found murdered at her residence in Runda, Nairobi on July 26, 2012.

The senator said he received the news of Fonseca's death while he was at a rally in West Pokot on July 27, 2012.

He spoke Monday before High Court judge Roselyn Korir in a case where seven people are charged with the murder of Fonseca.

Muthama however said he was not aware of what could have led to the death of the ambassador, saying he only knew of the workers' complaints and leadership differences within the embassy.

The senator said after reports were published alleging that workers at the embassy were being molested, he sent his officers to go and confirm the allegations.

His intention was to defend his people as he was also a Government official at that time. The senator did not deny the claims that he urged those who claimed to have been molested to leave the premises.

"I received the report that things were not fine at the embassy and the workers were complaining of sexual molestation. That was when I summoned the acting ambassador to come to my office and I threatened to terminate the lease," he said.

Muthama denied the allegations that he was involved in molesting the embassy's employees. He also denied that he recommended his daughter for employment in the embassy.

Muthama said he had no idea that one of his daughters had requested former first secretary Dwight Sagaray to assist his sister get a position in the embassy.

"Three of my daughters had completed their university education by the time of the incident and it is not my responsibility to know where they requested for jobs," he added.

Muthama said he could also not remember being invited as a guest of honour in one of the meetings at the embassy. "I cannot deny the fact that I was invited to one of the events but I don't recall being the guest of honour," he told the court.

Muthama added that Dwight never responded to the claims that Fonseca was being harassed and threatened at the embassy.