Politicians voice support for DJ Joe Mfalme cite ‘cover-up’
Some politicians in the Mt Kenya region have called for fairness in the arrest of DJ Joe Mfalme on murder allegations.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu said on Sunday, March 24, that “preliminary investigations portray the DJ as a victim of a possible cover-up, which calls for utmost professionalism and sobriety in his case”.
DJ Joe, whose real name is Joseph Mwenda, 37, of Meru County, is in custody with seven others on suspicion of carrying out a conspiracy to murder Felix Kiliani Kitosi, an officer in the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
VIDEO: DJ Joe Mfalme arrest video emerges
The DJ together with his MC and photographer were arrested on March 23 night in a case that links them to the death of a police officer. pic.twitter.com/Z57i3KQO41
— Nairobi News (@Nairobi_News) March 24, 2024
Others in custody are DJ Mfalme’s driver, photographer and MC, Corporal Khadija Abdi Wako, Constable Sammy Rotich Cherono and Constable Agnes Kerubo Mugo.
Also read: New details emerge on the arrest of DJ Joe Mfalme
The Senator said, “Justice for all in the mix must be seen and heard to be applied and no one should be victimised to apportion blame in a manner that will justify others”.
Kirinyaga MP Njeri Maina said, “Justice that we can all believe in is what we demand, nothing less.”
DJ Mfalme’s troubles began on March 15, 2024, when he hosted a show at Club Texas in Kiambu County.
According to a police report filed at Riruta police station on March 23, 2024, the DJ and his crew left the club around 3 am on Saturday.
While driving in his car, it was hit from behind and upon coming out to check, the three (DJ, driver and MC) came face to face with the male driver of the offending car who was accompanied by a female passenger.
The driver of the offending car, now identified as the late DCI officer, Kitosi, attempted to drive off.
According to the report, the DJ and company managed to get the ignition key after the car was switched off and a scuffle ensued.
Meanwhile, the report notes that the DJ called the Texas Club for help, and the emergency call was routed to Kikuyu police station, where officers were dispatched to the scene.
Also read: DJ Joe Mfalme arrested over the death of police officer
The DCI officer, the report says, “became hostile, abusive and refused to co-operate, leading to a further brawl at the scene”.
The officers arrested the DCI detective and took him to Kikuyu Police Station but released him at about 10 am on March 16, 2024.
The Officer Commanding the Police Station (OCS) has the power to release any of the detained suspects.
The DCI detective died on March 22, 2024, in Nairobi West Hospital while undergoing treatment; a post-mortem conducted by government pathologist Peter Ndegwa revealed that he died of pancreatic disease.
Under the guise of taking statements, Kikuyu police officers went on an arrest spree and arrested the DJ and his three crew members.
However, further investigation by the DCI, who is investigating the death of one of his own, led to the arrest of the three officers on the grounds that they had also assaulted the victim.
All seven are now being held at Muthangari Police Station awaiting arraignment in court on Monday, March 25 2024.
Also read: DJ Joe Mfalme excites netizens with ‘lukewarm’ reply to wife’s sweet birthday message
The Chairman of Talented Musicians and Composers Sacco (Tamco), Epha Maina, said on Sunday, “We are following this incident closely and being not completely illiterate in matters of law, we have an idea of how justice works.”
Mr Maina said, “We do not expect the DCI to interfere in this matter for revenge purposes but to be guided by the tenets of the law and evidence,” adding that “initial statements indicate that the DJ and his crew were victims who needed help against a road rage incident.”
DJ Mfalme’s interest in spinning began in his teens, inspired by the likes of DJ Pinye. His breakthrough came in 2008 when he entered the Pilsner Mfalme DJ Competition and came second.