NCIC Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said that even though Kenyans must accept the report in order for the healing process to begin, those who have been adversely mentioned must get a chance to defend themselves/FILE
NCIC Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said that even though Kenyans must accept the report in order for the healing process to begin, those who have been adversely mentioned must get a chance to defend themselves.
Kibunjia who was speaking at a forum on cohesion in the counties on Tuesday added that the report must be subjected to a judicial process to enable victims get justice while kick starting the reconciliation process.
“Let us all agree as a country that this is the fact and at the same time let’s find a way of interrogating this report to find out if all what is said is true,” he said.
“We can’t take the whole report and implement it when there are people saying they were not part of those atrocities.”
Several names have been featured in the extensive report including those behind the assassinations of high profile personalities.
While it may be an open secret that JM Kariuki was murdered for political reasons, the truth commission says it has reason to believe that Peter Kinyuanji, Pius Kibathi, Ben Gethi, Patrick Shaw, Waruhiu Itote, Ignatius Nderi, Arthur Wanyoike Thungu, John Mutung’u, Silas Mburu Gichua, Mbiyu Koinange were involved in the assassination or its cover up.
The TJRC added that it had enough evidence implicating Bernard Hinga, James Mungai, Inspector Henry Waga and three others in the subsequent cover up.
According to the TJRC, President Jomo Kenyatta also interfered with the report on Kariuki’s death by removing the names of Mbiyu Koinange and Thungu because they worked in his office.
“The commission finds that President Kenyatta deliberately interfered in the independent investigation undertaken by the Parliamentary Service Commission by among other things directly removing the two names,” read the report.
The truth commission further implicated former National Rainbow Alliance Coalition Chief Whip Norman Nyaga in the murder of Chrispine Odhiambo Mbai saying he must be investigated and prosecuted if found culpable.
“The commission finds that there is sufficient evidence to link Nyaga to the assassination of Dr Mbai. The State appears unable or unwilling to shed more light on the death,” read the report.
The TJRC added that Robert Ouko was also killed for political reasons but that Kisilu Mutua, Chege Thuo and a third unidentified man who disappeared were used as scapegoats to divert attention from the more responsible perpetrators and the motive.
Those behind the Nyayo torture chambers were also singled out among them James Opiyo, James Mathenge, Sam Chelimo, Munene Muhindi and John Mburu.
SP Okwemba, Petkay Miriti, James Kilonzo, James Gachanja Kariuki, Christopher Karanja Kiarie, Noah arap Too, Geoffrey Kinoti, Leonard Wachira, Elias Mjomba, Thomas Kiarie, Nyanga Wambora and Benjamin Ogol were also mentioned as those who tortured Kenyans at the Nyayo chambers.
The TJRC said that the individuals should be investigated and prosecuted in found guilty adding that the building should be converted into a memorial.
“The commission recommends that the president offers a public apology to all victims of torture and unlawful detention and acknowledge the role of the state in the design and use of the Nyayo House torture cells,” said the report.
The TJRC also proposed that memorials be established to preserve the memories of Ouko, Kariuki, Father Antony Kaiser and others who had been assassinated.
It further demanded that all reports on the murders be made available to the public at the National Archives.
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