MP's ex-guard among six under probe for murder of politicians

Six people are being investigated in connection with the killing of two East Pokot politicians three weeks ago.

Among the suspects are a former bodyguard of Tiaty MP Asman Kamama and a former chief.

The suspects are under investigation over the killing of Loyamorok MCA Frederick Kibet Cheretei and Tiaty constituency aspirant Symon Pepee Kitambaa.

The others include an MCA aspirant and a boda boda rider

According to investigators, one of the suspects was an AP officer attached to Mr Kamama’s escort before resigning and going into business.

Though top security officers remained tight-lipped about the investigations, detectives told The Standard that some of the six were already in custody, having been arrested between Wednesday and Sunday morning after they were called back to give further statements.

County Police Commandant Peter Ndung’u yesterday requested that he be given time to deal with the matter before divulging the names to the media.

“I know the issue but please give me some time and I will get back to you. For now, kindly allow me not to say anything about it. I will call you for a briefing,” he said.

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musiambo also promised to issue the details later, only confirming that the investigations were nearing their end.

FULL DETAILS

“We are going to the third week and I can tell you on Tuesday we are bringing it to a close. You will get full details and the names of those going to court. Let us leave it there for now,” he said.

The investigator said the AK-47 that was used to kill Cheretei and Kitambaa on the night of Friday February 18 at Alfa Bar and Restaurant at the Marigat-Kabarnet junction was registered to one of the suspects.

“I know all the names you have but I am not the right person to talk to the media. I know they had been recalled to record further statements and I have not seen them again. It is possible they are in custody,” said an officer who asked not to named.

Two hooded men stormed a shed where the two politicians were talking with five other people - all from Tiaty - and shot them dead.

They then burnt the MCA’s vehicle before vandalising Kitambaa’s and snatching a yellow paper bag. Police are trying to find out what it contained.

Officers collected five spent cartridges from the scene.

Last week, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, through the National Police Service spokesperson George Kinoti, said preliminary and technical investigations had narrowed down the field to six suspects, who were being subjected to forensic inquiries before any arrests are made.

“Following the murders, the police commenced immediate investigations to unearth the authors of the crime. As at now, we have recorded a number of crucial statements from witnesses and other persons of interest,” said Boinnet.

An investigator yesterday told The Standard that the gun used was transported to from Naudo to Loruk by a rider on the day of killings.

“The boda boda rider was paid Sh6,000 by a CDF official from Tiaty, who is also under investigation,” said the investigator.