Speed up investigations on murder of lawyer, 2 others- Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet to speed up investigations into the death of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri.

In a condolence message delivered by Kinangop MP Stephen Kinyanjui during the burial of Muiruri at Rwanyambo village, President Kenyatta said the IG must ensure the killers are brought to book.

Emotions ran high as the body of the 27-year-old orphan was laid to rest with family members demanding for justice.

During the burial that was attended by politicians, human rights activists, members of the international community and his former work mates, speakers lashed out at the police over the deaths.

The Kinangop legislator who passed the President’s condolences said that the President was deeply concerned by the killings as they were tainting the image of his government.

The legislator called on the police to expedite their investigations into the murder, noting that the masterminds behind the death were still free.

“The President summoned the police IG and issued orders to him to make sure that the people behind this heinous crime are brought to book,” he said.

Nyandarua Deputy Governor Waithaka Mwangi termed the extra-judicial killings as a worrying trend which should be contained.

He said sections of the constitution –like the ones that make capital offenses bondable –  impede crime fighting.

“In most cases police are involved in robbery with violence and once out on bond they will either intimidate the witnesses or kill them,” he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Nyandarua Senator Engineer Muriuki Karue who said that CCTVs should be mounted in and outside police stations to contain the rising cases of killings.

Muiruri had ferried lawyer Willy Kimani and his client Josphat Mwenda to Mavoko Law Courts where they were kidnapped.

The three were brutally murdered, and their bodies were dumped in Ol-Donyo Sabuk.

Four police officers have since been arrested and arraigned at the High Court on murder charges, as FBI officers joined the investigation team.