Deputy President William Ruto arrived at the burial of Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei in Nakuru County after cutting short his trip in Kiambu County on Saturday, March 7. Ruto was received by Water CS Simon Chelugui, who is a cousin to the deceased.
Kenei's body was ferried to Nakuru on Friday, March 6, ahead of his burial on Saturday, March 7 in Chamasis home in Solai ward, Nakuru County.
DP Ruto held a closed-door meeting with elders and Kenei's close relatives ahead of his send-off, which was conducted by his fellow police officers.
"In our family we have no past history of suicides and not a single family member has ever committed suicide and the late Kenei cannot be the first one. It is time we end unnecessary drama and detectives get important phone numbers of suspects who were communicating with Kenei before he was killed," Chelugui stated on Friday, March 6, at Umash Funeral Home, Nakuru.
Ruto, on Saturday, March 7, while at Maria Immaculata Church, Kiamumbi in Kiambu County, had informed the audience that he would be joining his officer's family in his final send-off.
"I am grateful for being here. However, accept my apologies, I won't stay long. I am rushing to the burial of one of my officers who passed away. I will come back at a later date to pray with you," Ruto stated.
The DP was accompanied by MPs Nixon Korir (Lang'ata), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika.
At Kiambu, the DP donated Ksh1.5 million towards the construction of a multi-purpose hall, to be used by children in the area. Gachagua, Korir and Kihika all donated Ksh 50,000 each. The DP also promised to buy a bus for the church.
"I will send government officials to follow up on the construction of the hall. I have listened to your lamentations and I will take my time to plan and come back with a school bus for the children," he promised.
Ruto on Friday, March 6, spoke, a few hours after his office, through Chief of Staff, Ken Osinde, issued a statement challenging details of the CCTV footage that was aired by Kinoti.
The DP stated that he had observed criminal cover-up in the murder case of Sergeant Kenei, who was attached to his office. He argued that the culprits were roaming free as Kenyans were being fed with half-baked truth.
"The truth must be found on why, how, and who killed Sergeant Kenei. The family, my office and Kenyans want the truth and justice and culprits held to account.
"The drama, distortions, convenient half-truths and the smear campaigns in sponsored headlines amount to criminal cover-up," Ruto lamented while pushing DCI Kinoti to speed up the investigations.
Kenei's widow, Judy Chepsoi, on Friday, March 6, mourned his husband as Kenei's father lamented over his son's death.
"What will I tell our children when they grow up? Who will help me raise them? It's hard for me to believe he is dead. But I leave it to God," Chepsoi wondered.
"I have a strong conviction that my son's blood will forever haunt those who killed him. I urge all officers to do their duties without fear. We expect transparency in the investigations without any form of cover-up for the sake of any other officer who may be working in such a risky environment," John Chesang, Kenei's father added.