Dr. Robert Ouko was Kenya’s Minister for Foreign Affairs when he disappeared on the night of 12 February 1990. Ouko disappeared from his farm in Koru near Muhoroni. On 16 February the government announced that his body had been found at Got Alila hill, near Ouko’s home. The body had been mutilated and burnt and was found with items including a gun, a diesel can and matches. All apart from the diesel can had belonged to Ouko. News of the crime set off riots in Nairobi.
Initial police reports suggested that Ouko had committed suicide but it soon became apparent that Ouko had been tortured and shot before his body was burnt. Public pressure led President Daniel arap Moi to ask British detectives from New Scotland Yard to investigate Ouko’s death.
In October 1990 Moi appointed a public inquiry into the case chaired by Justice (current Chief Justice) Evans Gicheru. The inquiry was terminated by Moi in November 1991 and did not produce a final report but its proceedings had brought many of the facts of the case to public attention.
Several government officials, including energy minister Nicholas Biwott and head of internal security Hezekiah Oyugi, were detained for questioning in relation to the murder but released after two weeks for “lack of evidence”.
Jonah Anguka, a former Distric Commissioner, was tried for Ouko’s murder in 1992 and acquitted, with the crime remaining unsolved. Anguka later fled into exile in the United States, fearing for his life. He has since published a book, “Absolute Power,” denying his involvement in the Ouko Murder. During Anguka’s trial witness Godfrey Mate who was the Kisumu DC when Ouko disappeared told the iniquiry that Anguka interfered with the Kisumu security committee’s work after Robert Ouko was found dead.
The investigations suggested that Ouko had been compiling a report on corruption in the Kenyan government and how it had affected his attempts to reopen a molasses plant in his Kisumu constituency. The report was not found after Ouko’s disappearance and it was suspected that his murder was an attempt to suppress his findings.
In March 2003 the newly elected government of Mwai Kibaki opened a new investigation into Ouko’s death to be conducted by a parliamentary select committee. It heard evidence from the 1990 British investigation implicating government officials including Biwott, who has denied involvement, and Oyugi, who died in 1992. In March 2005 the inquiry summoned former President Moi to give evidence.
_______________________________________________________________
Moi Ordered Ouko Killed, Inquiry Told
On March 4, 2005 the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating Dr. Ouko’s death was told that it was President Moi who ordered the killing of his Foreign minister in 1990.
Committee chairman Gor Sunguh said Scotland Yard detective John Troon told the committee in London two weeks ago that Dr Robert Ouko was killed because of “an
executive order”.
Mr Sunguh said: “This executive order was issued by none other than President Moi.”
The Sunguh committee was in Britain two weeks ago to receive evidence from Mr Troon, who extensively investigated the murder, and Swiss business consultant Marianne
Briner. Mr Sunguh said the President fired Dr Ouko, who was the MP for Kisumu Town, and sent him to his Koru home as his security was withdrawn.
“No other person had such an executive authority” to order the killing of Dr Ouko, Mr Sunguh said.
“The President himself said at a public rally that people who poisoned Vice-President George Saitoti ‘…are the same ones who killed Dr Ouko…’ We would have liked him to tell us who these people are and how he came to know them,” Mr Sunguh said.
Mr Sunguh said Mr Troon had tried to interview Keiyo South MP Nicholas Biwott as the prime suspect but that Mr Biwott had been “shielded” by Mr Moi.
A letter from the British High Commission tabled before the committee showed Mr Troon had in 1990 concluded his probe and had said there was enough evidence to arrest Mr
Biwott and other senior officials but that Mr Moi had denied him permission to do so.
Mr Sunguh said President Moi had pledged no stones would be left unturned in the investigation but that, instead, “all stones and boulders were put in the way of investigations”.
Mr Sunguh said the Moi administration started parallel investigations to Mr Troon’s usingthe dreaded Special Branch. Then Mr Jonah Anguka, a district commissioner at the time
Dr Ouko died, had been “planted” in the matter and charged with the murder.
Mr Troon’s life was threatened and he had to leave the country in 72 hours, he said. President Moi’s government was guilty of a cover-up in Dr Ouko’s murder, Mr Sunguh
said.
“It also participated in elimination of witnesses to the murder,” Mr Sunguh added.
The chairman said the committee had counted more than 100 possible witnesses who had died in mysterious circumstances.
“These are some of the issues that should have been answered by Moi. We would have treated him with utmost respect . . . we are not going to bother him,” Mr Sunguh said.
He added: “It is unfortunate that we are now going to complete our report without his input.”
Although failure to honour a parliamentary summons was “illegal”, the committee would not take any action against the former president Moi.
“Having been an MP for more than 40 years, as vice-president for 13 years and as president for 24, the man should have been a supporter of the rule of law,” Mr Sunguh
commented. Mr Moi should not blame the committee if it rules that he was responsible for “certain things” in Dr Ouko’s death.
Committee member Kiema Kilonzo said the committee wanted Mr Moi to explain what transpired during the Washington DC visit to which he was accompanied by both Dr Ouko and Mr Biwott. Dr Ouko was murdered several weeks later.
Mr Kilonzo said the committee wanted to hear from Mr Moi whether he had sent Dr Ouko on leave and confined him to his Koru home after the visit to Washington. Mr Moi could also have explained a photograph tabled before the committee by Mr Biwott showing him saluting by the left hand.
Committee member Raphael Wanjala said: “The retired president’s appearance here could have been very important for us because the work of all commissions when he was head of state was frustrated.”
The MP for Budalang’i cited the premature disbandment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry in 1991 and of Mr Troon’s investigation.
The Sunguh committee wanted Mr Moi to explain whether he and Dr Ouko travelled on the same flight from Washington.
About the road accident Dr Ouko was involved in on his way to Kericho on February 9,1990.
Whether the president communicated with Dr Ouko while he was on leave and
Whether he received documents by the BAK group’s directors complaining about mistreatment by some Cabinet ministers.
Mr Troon had also named permanent secretary Hezekiah Oyugi as a prime suspect in Dr Ouko’s murder. Mr Oyugi died of illness in 1991.
At the end of the inquiry the committee chairman, Mr Sunguh said: “We have information that a gang was hired by persons who have refused to be questioned by this committee. They (gang) were to be paid Sh3 million, but after complaining, it was raised to Sh8 million to kill Dr Ouko. Later some of the gang members killed their colleagues over the same money.”
Sent by Joe.
______________________________________________________________________________
For more on this story, please see http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=302
The urgency of the now demands that the ghost of the most brilliant foreign affairs minister we have ever had as a nation be laid to rest. All fingers have pointed towards Mr Total, why is he still running for public office and being carried around like a hero. The law guardians of our country are real mediocre if they think they can continue filling our jails with petty criminals and leave this heinious crime go scotfree
Realpolitik suggests we already have a heavy fight on our hands and cant open a fight on another front at this point in time. But the natural scale of justice will never go way and will be requited in the long term. We cannot in the meantime afford to get sidetracked now is my appeal. There are forces that have raised this issue as a decoy ( as hinted by jaluo press) and we must not let our limited energies and resources be divided.
We should let Hon Ouko`s soul rest in peace. The only worth while articles I find here are from Leo Omolo. Why are other bloggers so emotional and unoriginal?
I believe three people still hovering around – Moi, Biwott and Anguka) know who killed Robert Ouko. All of them seem out of reach or untouchable at present. I also believe Christabel Ouko knows more about who killed her hisband but she as compromised by Moi. They always say time will tell but time is also endless!!!
Let us leave it to Almighty God and let Bob R.I.P.
I my self i red the story of Dr ouku when i was in p.3 by then but all along i have been intrested to know who killed the brilliant Dr.,other rumours which came on air by that time was that, by the then prime minister of england was forcing moi to step down and the Dr. take over,..to every one who knew Dr.ouku it was a real tragidy to the people of Kenya and the rest of the world..May the almight God rest him in peace..
I heard Dr Oukos death when i was in primary school.I have always been interested in finding out who killed him.All in all God is the author and the finisher of our lives.This murderers will never have peace until they confess with their own mouth.All i pray is that they will have a chance to repent before God about their wicked ways.
Its so sad they way people kill innocent Kenyans because of power wrangles.
Hope People will realize who God is en live by the Christian principles.
In 1989, I saw Ouko during the District Schools’ fundraising in Kericho Primary School, I cannot forget the Kipara he had. It was the time when we had “political inheritance” saga- remember when a politician died, his son took over (e.g the Mudavadi’s etc), and the Dr. vigorously defended Kenya on this in oslo Norway that year. The next year, I was in Form 3 – Kabianga High School, and all hell broke loose, the Dr. was dead…riots in Kericho I saw (University Students coming from his funeral) etc. The bottom line—Moi, Mr. Total must were responsible. They know something, they are hidding something
Justice will never be achieved in Kenya until the real culprits are arrested and sentenced to the punishment they deserve…the death of Ouko was quiet a devastating blow to the country of Kenya and it hurts to see those who took part in slaughtering him walking freely as though nothing happened.Lets be people who can stand for the truth no matter the cost it takes.
Everybody knows evidence who killed ouko, like biwott, moi , and isaac oyugi
The leaders we have today are a replica of those during daktari’s death.History repeats itself.All da same the conscience of the murderers of daktari will not be at peace until they are brought to book.
Let’s not cheat ourselves. Moi knows the death of Ouko cos he was the chief architect.
Lets end impunity once and for all in Kenya. Its distressing that the government does not want to initiate real reforms in the country. Sheer pain to such a family for the last twenty years? Come on! we can do better!
We need not to pretend coz the truth is know its juz a matter of time and all will be well.
I did not realize how corrupt our leaders were when i lived there, but boy they are croocks. Investigation into the death of this charismatic doctor should be reopened. People are soo afraid to bring these criminals in court. Moi should spent the rest of his life in prison. And Bewott should be castrated and then jailed. Of all the Lous, the most intelligent individuals have been kept away from power by being assasinated or jailed. Now, Mr. Raila, ask the prosecutor to reopen the case and judge some people.
That time i was in class one when Ouko died.I believe he could be a great leader of this nation if he could be alive.R.I.P Ouko
Moi, Biwott and Anguka are all guilty. What more evidence does one need to bring Bob’s killers to justice. If the people elected in Government cannot uphold the law of the land and execute that law when justice is required, then all of them are as guilty as the perpetrators. R.I.P Bob the Kenyan President who never was….
When he was announced dead,I was not even a week old in this world.Just imagining being born at such a time when the country was mourning.Its like being born at a time when there is a great famine in the world.But I still believe that Wuod Seda’S death is one that will never fade in the history of Kenya.If one day we do not come to the conclusion of who killed Ouko then,it will be a disgrace to this nation.We are still waiting for that day when this nation will stand by the justice to condemn that crime that made us lose such a prominent person.We are still waiting for that day when the earth will unmask the real mamoth behind this.I know that somewhere in this land still lives the person who planned the killing but let him know that the world will never forgive him.We maybe calm but we are not silent,we maybe silent but we have not forgotten.We are still waiting.
I was young by then, I have now read stories and every thing is now clear to me. What pains me alot is that the people responsible are still alive but goverment has done nothing to pay for what they did.
Let those who were involved in the murder of Ouko face the law and pay for the sins they had commited.Emmanuel
As JALUO, I feel so painful when people are making stories on how, why who and when our Doctor was murdered. it is a true fact that, the death of Dr. Robert was a planned one right from the powers of the prezo whom by then is a retired one, Bw. Arap. Why not, to cut the story short by DOING JUSTICE to find this murderer sentenced to death in the COURT of LAW? Our new government, should take charge, because these are the people we are missing that cause our country develop evils things like corruption, miss interpretation of the laws by our leaders tribalism.
I m one among the many open minded Kenyans that is still saddened the lack of justice in Kenya. The law is supposed to be fearless, but not the case in Kenya. If the contrary to my assertion is true, then someone tell me why moi, biwott, and anguka are not in jail. mutula kilonzo should stop obstructing justice in the name of a few millions of stolen Kenyan shillings. In the new Kenya that we shall all wake up to one day, the truth will be laid out in the naked openness for all to see. It least surprises anyone to see moi cross cross the country, after retirement, in an attempt to influence any general election. If the regime he favours ascends to powers, he is asured his ass will be covered. One day he won’t find anybody to blackmail as he did Kibaki that the killers of Mboya and j m karuiki should also be sent behind bars and all the land ills of the kenyatta regime. Untill we get someone from luo nyanza in the presidency, all these assassinations will forever remain mysteries. No wonder politicians from central and sections of rift valley piss in their pants when think of that time.
IT IS ABSOLUTE SHIT TO SAY THAT MOI WILL NOT BE CHARGED COZ OF HIS STATUS BUT HE COULD HAVE RESPECTED THAT DURING HIS TENURE IT MEANS ALL HEROES DO WRONG COZ THEY WILL NOT BE CHARGED BUT GOD WILL PUNISH THEM
too sad that bob was killed and over 20 years,we are still talking about who killed him, the lord who saw what happened behind the scenes will surely pay an equal measure to the well-covered silent-killer.it will surely come to pass
Those who kill others for there own good, should know that its not for free they will also have to pay.
WE R IN A CIVILISED WORLD NOW,THE 21ST CENTURY AND FOR THE WELL BEING OF THE NATION JUSTICE IS REQUIRED.LET IT B FAST BCOZ WE DONT WATCH MORE OF OUR HEROS DIE IN COLD BLOOD.
Fellows, African tyranny holds; its a state of mind which we must subdue and have dominion over.it’s the highest degree of mania to find pleasure in cold blood murder and am bitter it’s an expensive game of wits whose contestants are excellently halters of humanae vitae freedom.am not convinced why the Former tyrant still, with his old hand busy writing epitaphs of millions of martyrs with there blood,stills lives.He’s answerable!It’s politics of the old!!!!!
Fellow kenyans it very painfull
and shamefull to hear that but
we hope that as investingation
going on God would answer our
Prayer one day and ashamed the
enemies.
we shall never overcome the pains or atrocities of the past regime.cantankerous shall this nation remain till justice is done
The truth is, i am not interested on which tribe lead the country, i want to see good leader who will change the country from animals into human. One the pple would this is,,,, Dr Ouko, Mboya, Ngala, Maitha and Shikuku. Since so called indepence there has been alot of injustice,, so this pple they use power to silence pple.. I believe soon or later we will be watching colored tv instead b/w tv. God rip those men… Amen…
I always fill angry whenever the story of Robert is mentioned.It is shame full to leaders who are being accused of that matter such as moi.I HOPE that one day when I will be an official I will look into that matter.
its sad that many of us have a most powerful tool (the internet) to impact knowledge and awareness inorder to bring change but all we fall dabble is tribal infantille. i was a kid when Robert Ouko was murdered but it matters not his tribe but the fact he was a Kenyan; a promising leader murdered in cold blood. The perpetrators ought be brought to book; fullstop. The least that can be done is a full report from the regime; the owe Kenyans atleast that. Not forgetting also a probe on Gama Pinto, J M Kariuki
Its two decades down the line but i feel Dr.Robert Ouko next to me whispering a thing,encouraging and even smiling at me.He was killed but his spirit lives right here.You really cant kill an idea whose time has come.
I was born in 1986. I have painful feelings when I remember these sad stories of some of our own, disowned by a people responsible for their protection. I feel I wasn’t given a chance to see these devoted men who had a dream of prosperity and a bright future for their beloved country Kenya. Innocent souls. Their cry will remain over the land of Kenya until reconciliation is established alongside justice
It may not be today,yesterday or tommorow but one day justice shall flow like river and reghtiousness like springs and the killers of the late doctor shall also be killed either on earth or in heaven.Biwot kod Moi angomomiyo ne unego ouko?
It should be noted that “Dr.” Ouko never completed his doctorate. At the time of his death in 1990, Mr. Ouko had not finished his doctoral thesis for which he was studying at the University of Nairobi. Despite being known as Dr. Ouko, he held only an honorary degree received in 1971.
Lets leave Dr.ouko’s soul rest in peace and leave the rest to God to handle.This is the time for us to think about what we want from our potential leaders and change from the past to the present with the help of the most high
The truth is not far away.The answer to this complicated riddle will be found.
Pingback: Just Justice «
I was only eight years old when the good Dr. was killed..Chaos erupted in Muhoroni where we lived. I’ve never seen people so hurt many Kenyans lost their lives because of his death. Makes me wonder why the criminals are still walking free…By the way have you seen the Total Man lately?…he looks horrible.
robert ouko…….will rest in peace…..
god will open every evil done in the darkness. how can a dead body put on a fire and carry gun and diesel. how?????????
For me whats most satsfying in the poetic justice metted out on Governor Oyugi. May the soul of Dr Oyugi haunt all those who participated in his murder, I now see why Prof. Saitoti had to die. The bible says those who live with a dagger die by a dagger! No remorse!
Once I was patriotic to this nation Kenya, but after finding out who are the key suspects linked with the Dr. Ouko’s nearly leave, I’ll never be one again
Let politicians know one thing.if they are scrambling for prominent on earth ,let them murder their fellow collegues,bt they should not forget during judgement in heaven Dr. Ouko wil be there being alive with a universal lawyer who doesnt relly on one side.that wen people will see endlss fire if judgment cannot favor u.kama uliua kwa kisu vilevile…ouko died but left a legacy.
Kabisa wandugu ninae uchungu nikimkumbuka Daktari Ouko.RIP
It is very painfull but let us just pray, God will answer our prayer very soon.
Its with deep sorrow and disgust that i write this to question about the political decay of our country.A nation where the wicked live longer than the humble and justice prevails only for the rich.Well,Biwott and the rest,get to know that no regime reigns supreme.
It is clear Moi killed Ouko and that’s period.God knows and Moi will one day face the wrath