Probe told of Moi visits to Oyugi home

Former President Moi visited permanent secretary Hezekiah Oyugi the night Dr Robert Ouko disappeared, an inquiry into the Foreign minister's death was told yesterday.

Police superintendent Washington Ajuoga said Mr Moi was at the PS's home in Nairobi between 6.30 and 7.30pm on February 12, 1990.

"I heard about the visit the following morning," Mr Ajuoga, who was Mr Oyugi's aide said.

Mr Oyugi's cook told Mr Ajuoga that Mr Moi was at the home but could not tell who he was with.

The former president visited Mr Oyugi three times and came in a convoy of three vehicles, Mr Ajuoga who works at Bomet's district commissioner's office said.

He could not, however, tell if Keiyo South MP Nicholas Biwott, former Nakuru DC Jonah Anguka and a person named by another of Mr Oyugi's former cooks accompanied Mr Moi during the visits.

"He only mentioned the president," Mr Ajuoga said.

The cook told the parliamentary committee that the trio accompanied Mr Moi and discussed how to "eliminate" Dr Ouko.

Yesterday, Mr Ajuoga was at pains to deny he accompanied Mr Oyugi in a convoy of vehicles to kidnap Dr Ouko from his Koru home.

Mr Oyugi and Mr Biwott have since been named at the committee as among the people who lured Dr Ouko from his home on February 12, 1990. Dr Ouko was found dead four days later at the foot of Got Alila.

"The committee believes you accompanied Mr Oyugi and participated as you were the only bodyguard Mr Oyugi trusted and as you have confirmed you never left his sight," Mr Gor Sunguh, who chairs the committee sitting at Parliament Old Chambers in Nairobi, said.

The committee said it was convinced Mr Ajuoga knew those who killed Dr Ouko.

A Standard Seven dropout, Mr Ajuoga joined the administration police in 1978. After several transfers he landed in Nakuru where he was attached to Mr Oyugi, rising from a corporal to sergeant, senior sergeant and inspector in two years. He is now a superintendent.

Mr Oyugi recalled him to his office as he attended short courses at Administration Police Training College.

"Oyugi had a lot of trust and confidence in me," he said and admitted he earned the promotions through favouritism but denied getting the superintendent post as a reward for a role allegedly played in Dr Ouko's murder. "It is a reward from God," he said.

He was arrested alongside Mr Biwott and Mr Oyugi, who were shortly detained over Dr Ouko's death, but released without charges being preferred against him.

When Mr Oyugi's health deteriorated before he died in unclear circumstances, the PS bought him a Sh700,000 house in Nairobi' South C saying, "this is what I can leave you with and may God bless you."

Meanwhile, retired Scotland Yard Superintendent John Troon and businesswoman Marianne Brinner have been summoned to give evidence before the team.

The Clerk to the National Assembly has asked Mr Troon to appear before it on November 2, while Ms Brinner is to appear on November 1.