NYAHURURU, Kenya, December 3- A Nyahururu court is set to rule next Monday whether an inquest into the controversial death of 2008 Olympic marathon champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru will be heard in the town or in the High Court in Nairobi.
Nakuru High Court Judge, Anyara Emukule, had last year directed without giving reasons that the inquest be conducted in Nairobi by a Chief Magistrate.
But the marathoner’s wife Triza Njeri has now moved to court to seek the reasons unto why the inquest should not be held in Nyahururu.
The Marathon legend Wanjiru’s widow expressed surprise at the commencement of an inquest into circumstances surrounding her husband’s death but said that it should be held in their home town as opposed to the capital.
Njeri said she was eager to have the matter concluded and the cause of death revealed to all Kenyans so that she and her children can finally concentrate on rebuilding their lives.
Through her family lawyer Wahome Ndegwa, Wanjiru’s wife told the court on Tuesday that scene of death was Nyahururu, all witnesses are from the locality, documents and all CCTV materials are also in the town and anyone suggesting it be held in Nairobi is out to defeat a quick disposal of the inquest by making all involved incur hefty costs.
Ndegwa added while he was aware of Justice Emukule’s order he would urge the Chief Justice, Dr. Willy Mutunga, to appoint a special magistrate to hear evidence, visit scene and also receive all the documents pertaining to the death while conducting all sittings in Nyahururu.
The lawyer further told Nyahururu Senior Principal Magistrate, Dennis Mikoyan, that the inquest should be held there since all the necessary requirements were available.
Ndegwa added that young family of the marathon icon who died in May 15, 2011 remained a precious asset in the hearts of many people who continued to mourn his death and have held annual memories attended by thousands of residents.
The widow believes her husband died from a fall as arrived at by pathologist Dr. Peter Ndegwa.
However, Prosecution Counsel, John Mkufu, said that he had no objection as long as the two parties agreed.
The Senior Principal Magistrate had also advised the parties that the decision relied mostly on mutual agreement.
Mikoyan however ruled that he would consult with the chief justice’s office and have the go ahead given on December 9.
Kamau’s mother Hannah Wanjiru moved to court to have an inquest done accusing the wife of killing her son.
