This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Former Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru's fears for his life were exposed in a Nyeri court yesterday, November 5, 2019, as his nephew, Simon Waruru, testified in an inquest into the governor's death.
Waruru told the court that his uncle had expressed fears after the 2017 General Election, saying he was paranoid and always suspicious of his surroundings.
“The governor was paranoid and he was always suspicious of his surroundings. He insisted that no one should be let into his house without his consent,” Waruru said.
Waruru revealed that Gakuru was not comfortable being chauffeured by his driver, Samuel Kinyanjui, and referred to him as a ‘mortuary driver’.
“Gakuru used to give scenarios of how one could be assassinated. He kept mentioning that his political enemies could easily use the driver to eliminate him,” Waruru said.
The inquest was told that Gakuru was killed in a road accident on November 7, 2017, along the Kenol-Thika road, and a post-mortem showed he died of excessive bleeding.
Waruru also revealed that Gakuru had offered a supporter, Kinyua Kimuri, a minister's job in charge of water, but Kimuri declined, preferring the post of political advisor.
“He was interested in the post of political advisor because it would not hold him in the office,” Waruru said.
The inquest was postponed to January 27 and 28 next year after the prosecution failed to contact two witnesses who were expected to testify.
