Kinoti, Haji power tussle plays out at Keroche heiress inquest

An inquest into the death of Keroche Breweries heiress Tecra Muigai has once again brought into light differences between Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji and Directorate of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.

This was after Mr Haji made an application to transfer the proceedings to Lamu from Nairobi whereas Mr Kinoti had directed the case to be heard before a Milimani court.

Through Assistant DPP Joseph Riungu, Mr Haji said the decision as to where the proceedings should be held lies with him and the magistrate should not accept submissions from other parties.

The police lodged the inquest file on September 17 before Milimani chief magistrate Francis Andayi.

The family led by Tecra’s mother, Tabitha Karanja, waded into the dispute saying they have lost confidence in the DPP and proposed the matter to be handled by an independent prosecutor.

Through senior counsel James Orengo, Ms Karanja said most witnesses set to testify in the inquest are based in Nairobi.

She said a post-mortem examination on the body revealed evidence that raised serious questions and doubts regarding the explanation given by the main suspect, Mr Lali Omar Lali.

Mr Lali was arraigned in Garsen but the DPP withdrew the charges and ordered an inquest into the death of Tecra.

“That the family of the deceased now strongly believes ... the DPP is responding to instructions and or pressure from elsewhere to avoid bringing to account whoever may have been responsible for the death of Patricia Tecra Muigai,” she said in an affidavit filed in court.

Ms Karanja said her family is apprehensive about the Lamu inquest, saying Mr Lali is an influential person among boat owners and the mode being the singular most reliable form of transport, they may not travel without significant threat to their life and safety.

The court adjourned the hearing to October 14.