I learnt about my son’s death on radio – Kenei’s father
The family of the policeman attached to Deputy President William Ruto’s office, who was found dead on Thursday, has appealed to the DCI for a speedy investigation.
Sergeant John Kipyegon Kenei, 33, was found dead, with a gunshot wound to the head, at his house in Imara Daima, Nairobi County.
He was at the Harambee House Annex in Nairobi the day former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa visited and was later arrested over a fake Sh40 billion military equipment tender.
DOUBTS
Sergeant Kenei’s family made the appeal on Friday, his parents saying they were overwhelmed by the developments and dissatisfied with reports that he committed suicide.
Speaking to journalists at their home in Solai, Nakuru County, his father John Chesang said they last saw him on Friday when he left Solai in order to return to work.
Mr Chesang said Kemei last communicated with the family on Sunday.
“I have known my son since birth; he had not shown any signs of being suicidal. He exhibited no signs of stress,” his father said.
VALUE
Mr Chesang said they learned about Kenei’s death on radio and that no government official had contacted them.
While noting that Kenei loved his job, he asked the government to value its employees and ensure they are safe at all times.
“I want a comprehensive and satisfactory report about what killed my son. Saying he committed suicide is not enough,” Mr Chesang said, adding they were close and that Kemei talked to him about whatever bothered him.
Kenei’s mother Alice Chesang was not in a position to speak to the media.
SHOCK
Solai MCA Melvin Kuiton said Kenei’s death shocked the entire ward.
“This was a young gentleman who loved his job. He was jovial and always concerned about other people,” Mr Kuiton said at Kenei’s home.
Adding that he suspected the officer was murdered, he urged the DCI to conduct a thorough investigation.
“Unravel his death for the sake of other government employees and all the other weak people in the country,” he said and also asked the DP’s office to submit useful information to investigators.
In a condolence message via Twitter on Thursday, DP Ruto said Kenei was a disciplined officer.
“I urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his death,” he wrote.
FRAUD INVESTIGATION
Kenei’s body was found in the sitting room of this house at Villa Franca area.
He had been unreachable since Sunday and preliminary police reports indicated that he may have committed suicide.
The officer was a crucial witness in investigations into the fictitious tender deal involving Mr Echesa and America’s Echo Advanced Technologies, LLC.
He was to record a statement at the DCI earlier this week over the tender fraud but skipped his session.
The Homicide Investigations Unit at the DCI has taken up the matter, with DCI boss George Kinoti himself, who visited Kenei’s home on Thursday, leading the probe.