Miner denies killing British geologist

By Willis Oketch

Mombasa, Kenya: A man suspected of killing a British geologist, Rodney Bridges Campbell, at his Kambanga mining site in Taita Taveta County five years ago has stood his ground that he was not part of a village gang linked with the murder.

Alfred Njuruka Makoko Tuesday told Justice Maureen Odero at the High Court in Mombasa that he was not among the villagers who killed the gems dealer on August 11 2009 at Mwasui Ranch.

Makoko, who is among seven suspected killers who have been put on defence, after the court found they had a case to answer, insisted he had no grudge against the deceased before his brutal murder. “I had no problem with Bridges. I even attended a peace meeting between him and the villagers in 2009 which was convened by the then Environment Minister the late John Michuki to resolve the mining dispute,” he said.

Bitter dispute

Makoko, represented by lawyer Steven Ngombo, said on the day Bridges was murdered following a dispute between him and the villagers, he was in his farm six kilometres from the scene.

Others who have been put on defence are Mohamed Dadi, Samuel Mwachala, James Chacha, Daniel Mdachi, Osman Abdi and Crispus Mnoko, who are represented by lawyer Gikandi Ngibuini.

Deputy Public Public Prosecutor Jacob Ondari is leading the prosecution. Makoko admitted the villagers who are members of a co-operative society, he is the chairman of, had a bitter dispute with Bridges over the mining site.

“It was my members who had a problem with Brigdes but not me as an individual because I had my own mining site at Mkuki Ranch six kilometres from Kibanga Ranch which I have been licensed to prospect,” said Makoko. “It is true small traders are the ones who had problems with Bridges,” he added.