DCI wants inquest into Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakurus fatal accident

The Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has asked the court to conduct a public inquest into the road crash that killed Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru in November last year.

In a letter to the Nyeri Chief Magistrate, DCI George Kinoti indicated that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed that the matter be disposed through a public inquest.

Dr. Gakuru died barely three months after taking office as Governor of Nyeri County.

His then deputy, Mutahi Kahiga called for investigation into the accident, and is on record saying that prior to the accident, Mr. Gakuru had several times complained that the same vehicle that claimed his life had mechanical issues.

“I keep asking everybody who bothers to listen, how did Wahome Gakuru find himself in the Mercedez Benz outside Nyeri… it was faulty and he had told me three or four times ‘my brother hii gari ndio itaniua’ (this is the car that will kill me),” said Governor Kahiga during a requiem mass for Dr. Gakuru in November 2017. 

The hearing of the matter is set to begin on January 16, 2019 before Resident Magistrate Maisy Chesang.

After the fatal road crash on November 7, 2017 police said the accident was caused by a tyre burst that caused the vehicle to ram into the guard rail which speared into the vehicle inflicting injuries to the governor and his aides.

Governor Gakuru was the second governor to die in office after the first Nyeri county boss Nderitu Gachagua died while undergoing treatment in London.