Matiang’i Addresses Chris Msando and River Yala Killings.
Former Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, has said the prolonged delay in solving high-profile cases like the murder of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ICT Manager Chris Msando and the discovery of unidentified bodies in River Yala is due to ongoing investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and lack of public inquests and family identification of victims.
In an interview with Citizen Television on Tuesday, Dr. Matiang’i said the Ministry of Interior had followed up on the cases until he left office. He said by the time he left, both cases were still open with the DCI.
On the River Yala case, Dr. Matiang’i said more than 30 unidentified bodies had been recovered from the river. He said the matter was escalated to then-Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai. It was agreed that the DCI would send officers to the scene to start investigations. The DCI, according to Matiang’i, later said progress of the investigations depended on families identifying the bodies, which was a requirement for further legal and forensic processes.
“We asked the Police Inspector General and it was agreed that the DCI should spend some time there. When they came back we asked for an inquest,” Matiang’i said. He clarified that the investigative files were with the police and the Ministry didn’t have case files.
On Chris Msando who was murdered in July 2017—just a week to the General Election—Dr. Matiang’i said the Ministry had asked questions to the police but the investigations were not complete when he left office.
“The incident was reported and I know it the way you know it. We asked several questions about the matter,” he said.
He also mentioned other unresolved murder cases from his time in office including those of Jacob Juma and Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei. According to Dr. Matiang’i, in all cases the DCI said the files were open and procedural justice prevented executive interference in the progress of the investigations.
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“The DCI would say the file is still open. Even if you’re the President there’s nothing you can do. You go by what the Police IG tells you,” he said.
Dr. Matiang’i said the high-profile cases would require government to conduct public inquests. He’s willing to testify in court if the State decides to open inquiries into those matters.
Matiang’i Addresses Chris Msando and River Yala Killings.
