Witness rules out intake of hard drugs

Ms Mercy Keino, a Masters Student at the University of Nairobi who died on June 17, 2011. Ms Keino was drunk on about eight bottles of beer or 18 tots of whisky before her death. Photo/FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By PAUL OGEMBA pogemba@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Wednesday, April 3  2013 at  23:30

University student Mercy Keino was drunk on about eight bottles of beer or 18 tots of whisky before her death, a chemical analyst told an inquest on Wednesday.

Ms Eunice Wamuyu Njogu, a government chemist analyst, told the inquest into Ms Keino’s death that her blood had a substantial amount of alcohol.

“It indicated a minimum intake of eight bottles of beer or 18 tots of whisky,” said Ms Njogu.

But the analyst ruled out hard drugs like cocaine and bhang.

She said while a habitual drinker would be able to handle that amount of alcohol, a first time drinker would pass out.

Another witness, police Inspector David Kiprono said investigations failed to establish the cause or circumstances of the death of Ms Keino, hence the need for a public inquest. “The investigating team was not able to establish whether it was a hit-and-run accident or murder,” said Mr Kiprono.

He said it was difficult to confirm or eliminate either of the two theories based on the evidence gathered during investigations.

A third witness, Chief Inspector Mwangi Gitau, told the inquest that a report by one of his colleagues indicated that a car suspected to have been involved in the accident was repainted a few days after Ms Keino’s body was found on Waiyaki Way.

Mr Gitau presented the report on behalf of his colleague, Chief Inspector Fredrick Ochieng who was among a team of investigators from Nairobi CID headquarters.

According to the report, the Mercedes Benz’s bonnet was repaired about two weeks after the death of Ms Keino. It had been panel beaten.

“The bonnet had visible signs of panel-beating and repainting seemingly done in a hurry considering the paint had not covered all the parts and the vehicle’s rear showed no signs of file marks,” said the report.

Ms Keino’s disfigured body was found on the roadside died in June 2011.

She was a master’s student at the University of Nairobi.

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko ordered a public inquest after investigations failed to unravel the circumstances behind her death.

Among those whose names appear on the list of witnesses is Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, who is said to have hosted a party at Wasini Luxury Homes where Ms Keino was last seen alive.

Others are Mr Joseph Kang’ethe, Mr Emmanuel Mugalo, Mr Kang’ethe Munene and Mr Wycliffe Lugwiri.

The inquest was adjourned to May 19.