This archive report was first published on 20 August 2019.
On August 20, 2019, a Nairobi Chief Magistrate, Francis Andayi, halted the testimony of Jane Nduta, a woman who was in the bedroom of late marathon champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru shortly before his death.
Ms. Nduta's account of the events leading up to Wanjiru's death was stopped by Magistrate Andayi, citing complaints lodged by the lobby group, Haki Za Wanaume International.
The group had written to the magistrate three times, complaining about the slow progress of the inquest and the exclusion of key witnesses, including lawyer James Ndegwa Wahome, who was representing Wanjiru's widow, Teresia Njeri.
State counsel Kanjunju Kirimi refuted the allegation that lawyer Wahome should be a key witness in the inquiry.
Other key witnesses missing from the inquest included Josephat Ombati, a former Nyandarua North OCPD, a Mr. Chemboi from DCI Headquarters, Mr. Ongola, a former Nyahururu Police Station Commander, and the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.
Magistrate Andayi allowed the lawyer representing Wanjiru's mother, Hannah Wanjiru, to find out whether she knew or had sent the authors of the letter by the lobby group.
The magistrate also asked for clarification on whether Hannah Wanjiru wanted lawyer Wahome to be called to testify in the inquest before resuming the inquiry on Wednesday and Thursday.
