Nine to be grilled over the murder of Kenei

Directorate of Criminal Investigations director George Kinoti during a press conference in Nairobi on March 5, 2020. [David Njaaga, Standard]

Detectives investigating the murder of a police officer attached to the Office of the Deputy President have identified nine persons of interest.

But the police are yet to determine if Deputy President William Ruto will be questioned following the murder of Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei, who escorted suspects in a Sh39 billion fake arms deal into the DP's Harambee Annex office.

Dr Ruto has said Kenei was killed as part of a scheme to malign his office.

Sources said the officers, led by those from the Homicide and Serious Crimes units, have already identified nine people who are likely to be talked to.

Head of Homicide Unit Martin Nyuguto refused to discuss the details of the persons of interest.

“We cannot discuss such details for now, please. Leave it for now,” he said.

When asked if the DP might be among those interviewed, Mr Nyuguto said he does not know.

“We will decide as the probe goes on. We are yet to decide for now, please,” he said.

Head of Serious Crimes Unit Obadiah Kuria said: “Be patient. We will inform you."

Those likely to be interrogated include staff at the DP's office, those from a telecommunications company and Kenei’s colleagues.

The detectives have concluded that Kenei was drugged and murdered by people probably known to him. He could have been murdered elsewhere and his body dumped in his house where it was found on February 20.

Kenei was buried at his Nakuru home on Saturday. Ruto attended the burial and declared Kenei was murdered by people out to fix him.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti, who is in the US for an official event, said investigations are progressing well and will soon enter a “serious” stage.

Another senior officer said the DP is ''talking too much'' instead of telling the investigators what he knows