Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs
Youth Affairs Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs recorded a statement with the police following the death of mobiliser Cecil Ouma, who was shot under unclear circumstances in Kariokor, Nairobi.
Police visited his Nairobi office on Thursday afternoon and spoke to him and other officials.
The officers handling the matter had earlier summoned him.
Speaking on Thursday, July 2, Fikirini apologised to the family, saying he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life following the incident involving his security detail.
"I extend my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Cecil Ouma following his tragic and untimely death," PS Fikirini said.
He confirmed that his office would cooperate with law enforcement agencies investigating Ouma's death.
"The circumstances surrounding Cecil's death remain distressing and are the subject of an active investigation. I believe no family should have to endure such a tragic loss. No youth should have their life end the way Cecil's did."
"My commitment is that I will continue to make myself available for any investigations into this tragic death," he said.
He confirmed that investigating officers had summoned him to record a statement about Ouma's death.
"I have responded to an invitation by the investigating agencies to record my statement on what really transpired. Already, seven people, including three from my office, have been summoned and shared their side of the story," he said.
He assured the family of the deceased that they would get justice for their loved one, who was allegedly shot by one of his bodyguards.
The PS had been summoned by police officers from Nairobi North Sub-County in Pangani, who considered him a key witness in the incident after it was established that he was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Fikirini recorded his statement a day after members of his security team were questioned by police investigating Ouma's suspected murder.
Police also seized two firearms from officers attached to the PS for forensic examination.
Police further recorded statements from five other individuals.
New footage showed that Ouma was last seen alive after entering Fikirini's vehicle following a youth engagement forum.
The PS's vehicle was badly damaged during the chaos, forcing him to seek refuge at a police station.
Ouma, a 28-year-old former TUK University student, was a youth leader in Imara Ward in the Embakasi area.
He was among a group of youths who had attended a youth sensitisation meeting.
Police said a group of about 100 youths surrounded the official vehicle, demanding handouts.
The crowd reportedly opened the vehicle's doors as the driver sped off towards Dr Griffin Road, with some of the youths allegedly stealing valuables from the occupants.
During the incident, a Nokia mobile phone belonging to one bodyguard and another Nokia phone belonging to a second bodyguard were reportedly stolen.
The vehicle's rear windscreen was also smashed with stones.
The officers assigned to the Principal Secretary's security detail fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd as patrol officers responded to the scene and prevented the youths from pursuing the convoy further.
The Principal Secretary was later escorted safely to his residence by police officers.
Police arrested one suspect, who is expected to be charged.
It was then that Ouma was allegedly shot in the stomach and rushed to Park Road Nursing Home, where he was pronounced dead.
Officials at the facility said a man with gunshot wounds had been brought to the hospital but later died while receiving treatment.
The body was found with two gunshot wounds to the left arm and another gunshot wound to the left side of the chest, below the breast.
Police processed the scene before the body was moved to Chiromo Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination.
Police have launched investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.
Ouma's colleagues rushed to the mortuary after receiving news of his death.
A post-mortem examination was planned.
