Nairobi News

TV evangelist James Ng’ang’a has finally been questioned by police in a fresh investigation triggered by the death of a woman in a road accident 10 days ago.

Traffic commandant Charlton Murithi said Wednesday he had begun investigating the case afresh following allegations of a cover-up that involved the falsifying of documents and tampering with evidence.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police said the new investigation would zero in on the allegations, which include corruption.

ACCIDENT SCENE

“If there’s any corrupt issue touching on this case, I will definitely investigate it,” said Mr Murithi, adding: “I was equally instructed to ensure procedures pertaining to preservation of evidence of accident scenes was adhered to and that all police officers who were in any way involved in the case conducted themselves professionally, short of which sanctions, both disciplinary as well as court will apply.”

Besides pastor Ng’ang’a, eight other people including police officers have been interrogated and their statements recorded.

The new team of investigators reviewed the scene afresh, collected additional samples, recorded more statements and requested advanced forensic examinations analysis.

Though Mr Murithi remained cagey on his preliminary findings, his statement suggested that the officers were being investigated for criminal offences.

“I wish to reiterate that anyone, whether a police officer or any other person who will be found culpable of any form of wrong doing in connection with the accident will be dealt with according to the law,” he told journalists at Traffic police headquarters in Nairobi.

BOINNET SADDENED

Police spokesman George Kinoti said police chief Joseph Boinnet was “saddened” by the incident and had sent condolences to the family of Ms Mercy Njeri, who died in the July 26 crash, and her husband Martin Mbugua Ndung’u, who sustained injuries.

Mr Murithi asked the public to volunteer information regarding the case, saying it would be held in confidence.

Investigators had not determined the owner of the sleek Range Rover that collided with Mr Ndung’u’s Nissan but were awaiting a report from the Kenya Revenue Authority, he said.

The new probe also seeks to identify if officials at the traffic department and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) could have been involved in the cover-up.

COVER-UP

While traffic police enforce the Highway code, the DCI investigates serious crimes, apprehend offenders, maintain criminal records and conduct forensic analysis.

Investigation which unearthed the cover up put DCI on the spot because detectives possibly tampered with official telephone data in a bid to conceal crucial evidence.

Telephone logs from a mast in Tigoni which would have determined where the televangelist was at the time of the accident were erased.