Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has directed Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji to appeal the acquittal of Pastor James Ng’ang’a of charges of causing death through dangerous driving.
In a letter to Mr Haji and Inspector-General Joseph Boinnet, Dr Matiang’i says the government is not satisfied with the ruling of Magistrate Godfrey Oduor.
PROBE
Evidence implicating the pastor, the CS says, was overwhelming.
He requested for the investigative file and trial proceedings.
“The ministry notes with surprise the acquittal handed down in the above case where we believe a brazen crime was committed by the accused person,” reads a letter written by the CS and copied to Mr Haji and IG Joseph Boinnet.
“While seeking a report on the investigatory and trial processes that may have caused this outcome, I urge you to appeal this judgment in its entirety and pursue justice for the victims herein and the people of Kenya.”
Mr Ng’ang’a, of Neno Evangelism Centre, was acquitted on Friday alongside driver Simon Kuria and police officers Christopher Nzioka and Patrick Baya.
The televangelist was charged three years ago with dangerous driving after his car crashed head-on into a Nissan March on July 26, 2015 at Manguo area in Limuru, killing Mercy Njeri, who was a passenger in the Nissan.
Witnesses claimed Mr Ng’ang’a was the one behind the wheel, but another man, Mr Kuria, later claimed he had been the one driving.
Mr Kuria, a Kenya Police Airwing inspector Nzioka, and a police officer, Mr Baya, were the co-accused in the case.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been directed to reopen the case and to guide on suitable measures to deal with the persons found responsible for mishandling the case.