Africa-Press – Kenya. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has been directed to expedite an inquest into the death of Olympics marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru.
Milimani Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo wants the office, under DPP Noordin Haji, to conclude the case this week.
Kagendo noted that the inquest had dragged and urged the DPP to ensure that the delays are dealt with. Wanjiru died under mysterious circumstances at his home in Nyahururu on May 15, 2011.
“Do what is within your (the DPP) powers to conclude this matter by February 9, 2022,” the Milimani Chief Magistrate ordered.
But the State Prosecutor, Catherine Mwaniki told the court that they had five more witnesses to call.
She further told the court that she already had one witness in court but Wanjiru’s wife, Teresia Njeri sought adjournment stating that her lawyer was absent from court.
Uvyu Mwendo, the attorney who represented the late Olympian’s mother responded, stating that he did not contact the widow’s lawyer who resides in Nyahururu.
Evidence presented in court by the government doctors and pathologists alleged that Wanjiru was hit with a blunt object leading to his death.
The court heard that on the said day, Wanjiru went around town on a drinking spree as he reunited with some friends after a three-day training session in Eldoret. An hour to midnight the athlete was reported to have called his secret lover, Jane Nduta.
The woman testified in the inquest, admitting that Wanjiru called and told her to wait for him at her workplace, Kawa Falls restaurant. But on the same night, his wife Teresia Njeri walked into her matrimonial home and found the athlete and Nduta in their bedroom.
A scuffle ensued and Njeri testified that she locked them in the house and called Wanjiru’s close friend and his cousin to inform them of the altercation. She also called an OCS after the athlete allegedly threatened her.
Wanjiru died that night after reportedly falling off a balcony at his home at the Muthaiga estate, Nyahururu town.
The Olympics star passed away before defending his title in the 2012 London Games. Wanjiru was the first athlete to win Kenya’s first-ever gold in the Beijing edition on August 23, 2008.
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