Former Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru. [Waweru Murage, Standard]

An inquest file into the death of former Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru has formally been presented back to the chief magistrate court after almost six months at the High Court.

When the matter came up for mention Thursday, Nyeri Chief Magistrate Alfred Kibiru directed the matter be mentioned on October 11 to fix the hearing date and for further directions.

The inquest is looking into events surrounding a grisly accident in which the third governor of Nyeri, Wahome Gakuru, died at Makenji along the Kenol-Nairobi highway on November 7, 2017.

The car had three other occupants at the time of the accident - the governor's driver Samuel Kinyanjui Wanyaga, Albert Kaguru a personal assistant, and Ahmed Abdi, his bodyguard.

Gakuru had been in office for three months when he died after being rushed to the Thika Level 5 Hospital. The economist had succeeded Samuel Wamaathai, who took over the reins after Nderitu Gachagua died in office in February 2017.

Kibiru also ordered the prosecution to serve all parties in anticipation for resumption of the hearing proceedings which were postponed in March.

So far a total of 17 witness have testified, with only the investigating officer yet to take the stand.

Last week, Justice Florence Muchemi directed the file be placed before the lower court, after allowing an application by Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua and Nyeri Governor-elect Mutahi Kahiga not to testify at the inquest.

The judge noted the prosecution had earlier communicated its position to the lower court indicating the Deputy President-elect and the county boss testimonies had no probative value.

In their application, Gachagua and Kahiga were seeking a revision of orders by Nyeri Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo and Francis Adanyi requiring them to appear as witnesses.