Invite FBI to investigate Jacob Jumas murder, Raila tells govt

Coalitions for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga has called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate the murder of businessman Jacob Juma.

Mr Odinga claimed that the government cannot be tasked with the responsibility of leading the investigation since it is a key suspect in Juma’s murder, saying only foreign agencies like America’s FBI and the Scotland Yard can execute that mandate.

“When Robert Ouko was murdered, former President Daniel Moi’s invited the Scotland Yard to lead the investigations. We want the same to be done regarding Jacob Juma’s murder,” the CORD leader said in a press briefing on Sunday.

“We suspect that the country’s security forces are behind Jacob Juma’s murder and that is why we cannot allow the government to carry out the investigations,” he said.

Accompanied by Jacob Juma’s wife, mother and brother the Opposition leader said the family and the nation at large was in shock following Juma’s killing.

Juma was a vocal critic of the Jubilee government, and Mr Odinga alleged that this was the reason why the prominent businessman was killed.

“Jacob Juma was very vocal about of corruption in the government, and we suspect that it is for this reason that he was killed. The manner in which he was killed is synonymous with extra judicial killings. Jacob Juma has done a lot for this country by exposing corruption.  We suspect that it is for this reason that he was killed,” Mr Odinga said.

Juma was shot dead on Thursday evening while driving to his home in Karen.

Raila has accused the government of remaining mum on the matter, saying the businessman’s latest posts on social media regarding his death should be used as a lead.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary have been mum over the killing, raising suspicion on what they know about it,” Mr Odinga said.

Touching on the slain businessman’s social media posts about a murder plot against him, Odinga said: “Juma predicted his death and named people, whom he said, were planning to kill him. He did not fear death.”

Several leaders including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and Amani party leader Musalia Mudavadi have also condemned Juma’s murder.

@benjaminwafula