- They were working in the underground tunnel during the time of the incident.
- Since then, there have been complaints of interference in the case “from above”.
Image: fILE
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has written to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations seeking information on the investigation into January 23, blast incident at a mining shaft in Nandi.
KHRC in the letter dated February 28, wants to find out the position of DCI and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the case.
Three people who were employees of Karebe Gold Mining were killed in the incident while six others suffered severe injuries.
They were working in the underground tunnel during the time of the incident.
Since then, there have been complaints of interference in the case “from above”.
Some unknown parties are not interested in charging suspects behind the blast.
Karebe Mining said the three were killed when a wall that was built to prevent the mine from flooding and illegal incursion was blasted by miners from the rival group.
The police arrested 10 suspects who were detained at Songhor police station.
The suspects were later arraigned before the court at Kapsabet where the court granted the investigation officer 14 days to hold the suspects in custody pending further investigation.
Due to the nature and magnitude of the investigation, the investigations were taken up by investigators from DCI Headquarters who completed the investigation, and recommendations of a charge of murder against the suspects were made.
KHRC Programme Associate Human Rights Monitoring and Rapid Response Brian Olang said a duplicate file was forwarded to the ODP Nairobi for perusal, directions, and further actions in court.
The matter was mentioned on February 22, as the state made an application to hold suspects for 10 more days so that DPP could peruse the file and recommend relevant charges.
However, the court dismissed the application on February 24, releasing the suspects on Sh100,000 cash bail each.
Following the events, KHRC wrote to DCI at the same time seeking the attention of DPP Noordin Haji on behalf of the members of the family of the victims to seek what was the actual position of the DCI file that the investigation was made and the recommendation of a charge of murder made against the suspect.
Further, the human rights body also wanted to find out the current position of the file forwarded to ODPP and why it is taking too long to charge.
“Therefore, we write on behalf of the victims whose family members died due to the deadly blast with great concern seeking answers to pertinent questions,” they said.
“What is the actual position of the DCI file that investigations were made and a recommendation of a charge of murder made against the suspects? What is the current position of the file that was forwarded to the ODPP for perusal, directions, and further action in court? Why is it taking too long to charge?” Posed the letter.
KHRC threatened to explore other options if the information sought was not given within three days.
British High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriot visited the area and raised concern over the controversy facing the mine.
“We hope you will find a way forward on the Karebe Gold Mining. The security and stability of the region and the people are very important to us,” Marriot said during a meeting with Governor Sang at his office in Kapsabet last month.