This archive report was first published on 19 July 2020.
July 19, 2020, marked a significant development in the investigation into the death of Tecra Muigai, the late Keroche Breweries head of Strategy and Innovation. Investigators have now revealed that Omari Lali, Tecra's lover, was involved with a Dutch woman with whom he has a child.
The Dutch woman, who rented an apartment about 6 kilometers from where Lali and Muigai were living, has emerged as a key figure in the case. Although investigators did not disclose whether Lali and the woman met during the period, it is reported that Lali traveled to Lamu shortly after the woman arrived from a short vacation in Naivasha.
According to sources, Lali joined the woman in Lamu, where she stayed for over 38 days. This new information has sparked speculation about a possible love triangle, which may be one of the theories that investigators will pursue.
Earlier, an autopsy had questioned 'a fall down the stairs' as the sole cause of Muigai's death. The autopsy revealed that the deceased had multiple head injuries, some of which were not consistent with a fall down a flight of stairs.
Government Chief Pathologist Johansen Oduor stated that the autopsy showed the deceased had blunt object injuries as well as a possible fall. Another consultant pathologist, Andrew Gachie, also noted that the multiple impact sites of the injuries suggested both blunt object blows and a possible fall.
A toxicology report also found no alcohol content in Muigai's system, ruling out claims that she stumbled down a flight of stairs in a state of intoxication. A house-keeper at the apartment where the two lovers stayed told investigators that Lali had asked them to clean up bloodstains at the bottom of the stairs, which were a result of a 'minor accident.'
These developments come just days after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji dropped murder charges against Lali. Lali was arrested and charged with murder after police and the prosecutor, banking on evidence gathered by investigators, said they were satisfied that the death was not accidental.
