Police probe crash that killed Governor Wahome Gakuru
Detectives investigating the crash that claimed Nyeri Governor Wahome Gakuru have sought assistance from a car dealer and State road agencies.
A team of detectives from both the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Traffic Police Department is leading the investigation and want DT Dobie and tyre manufacturer Pirelli to inspect Mercedes Benz Dr Gakuru was travelling in.
DT DOBIE
They also want the Transport ministry to inspect the scene of the crash at Kabati area in Murang’a County.
Central Regional Police boss Gideon Amala, in an exclusive interview with the Nation, on Thursday said they were looking at all possible causes of the Tuesday morning crash.
Even though he declined to reveal the status of the investigation, he did not rule out the possibility of foul play.
“We are not just relying on witness accounts but also findings from the inspection of the scene and the vehicle,” said Mr Amala.
DT Dobie, according to police, will inspect the crash wreckage to establish if the car it was faulty during the trip from Nyeri to the capital Naorobi.
Also, the company will establish when the Mercedes Benz car was last serviced.
TYRES
The vehicle, according to a police report, was fitted with Pirelli tyres at the time of the accident and the firm will also analyse the wheels to establish if there the tyre burst before, during or after the crash.
Initial report on police investigation indicated that the accident was caused by a tyre burst.
Pirelli will establish whether the burst occurred before or after the car hit guard rails at Kabati.
The Transport ministry, on its part, will analyse the guard rails to check if they had been properly installed and their structural integrity.
During the accident, the car crashed through and broke 11 concrete pillars supporting the guard rail.
The guard rail then penetrated and went through the car, seriously injuring the governor, his bodyguard and aide.
SPEED
“The ministry will give a report on how strong the pillars were and how the rail was fitted and what velocity can break such a concrete pillar,” Mr Amala said.
Using that information, the detectives will determine the speed at which the vehicle was moving when it crashed.
A team from the regional traffic headquarters has since Tuesday been combing the scene and inspecting the wreckage for clues.
The Nation has also established that the operations of the governor’s aides and driver is under scrutiny after it emerged he had not picked a designated driver for his official car.
It is also understood that the governor was still in the process of being orientated to the operations of his security men.
THEORIES
Mr Amala, however, advised against conspiracy theories being circulated on social media, claiming that the governor could have been assassinated.
“If anybody feels that they have a theory or any information regarding the accident should forward it to the police,” he said.
“It is insensitive to peddle the information on social media, especially since the family is still mourning.”
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