Murder or accident? Another fatal fall in Kasarani leaves a family in grief
The coffin bearing the remains of an electrical engineering student Blair Muthomi (inset) in Rubate village in Tharaka Nithi County on March 18, 2023. The family of Muthomi who reportedly died after falling from a five-storey building in Hunters Estate in Kasarani, Nairobi County is seeking for justice.
The family of Blair Muthomi, an electrical engineering trainee at the Nairobi Technical Training Institute, who died after falling from the fifth floor of a building in Hunters in Kasarani estate, Nairobi County, last week, has called for thorough investigations into the case.
Speaking during the burial in Rubate village in Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency in Tharaka Nithi County on Monday, the family said they will only come to terms with losing Muthomi after knowing what exactly happened.
The body of Muthomi, who lived in a flat with two friends, was found on the floor of an adjacent building site by the owner identified as Joseph Macharia, who had visited his property to supervise construction.
Mr Onesmus Mwiricia, Muthomi’s, father said the family received the shocking news from Uhai Neema Hospital, where his son was pronounced dead after he was rushed there by his two roommates.
The three friends had just moved into the flat last month.
“Our hearts are very heavy and we will not settle until we know from the investigating agencies what exactly happened to our beloved son,” Mr Mwiricia said.
Pushed down
He urged the Cabinet secretary for Interior, Prof Kithure Kindiki, to ensure police conduct thorough investigations into whether his son fell by accident or was pushed to his death.
Mourners at the grave of an electrical engineering graduand Blair Muthomi in Rubate village in Tharaka Nithi County on March 18, 2023.
He said on Thursday, March 9, during the day, he spoke with his 23-year-old son on phone. However, Muthomi's phone went unanswered later that night.
Muthomi had completed his studies and was waiting to graduate.
His mother, Ms Kajuju Mwiathi, said her first-born son was humble, hardworking, and had a promising future.
In-depth investigations
“My heart is very heavy as I bury my first-born son and what I can request the government is to conduct in-depth investigations to unearth what exactly happened,” said Ms Mwiathi.
According to the post-mortem, Muthomi died of injuries to the abdomen and chest that were consistent with a fall. However, Mr Mwiricia wondered how his son fell from the fifth floor but did not break his hands or even legs, or any other part apart from getting injuries to the head and internal organs.
Detectives from Kasarani Police Station took into custody the two housemates as persons of interest in the investigations.
Meanwhile, police are continuing with investigations into the almost similar death of interior designer Jeff Mwathi, who allegedly fell from the 10th floor of a building in the same area with six people, including renowned Kikuyu musician DJ Fatxo, being persons of interest.
