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Doctors at Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital in India believed in restoring Rosemary Odinga’s eyesight, long before meeting her. 

Nonetheless, they hinged their belief and expertise on a small ray of hope and had to first convince her father, Azimio La Umoja presidential aspirant, Raila Odinga, that they were best suited to end her daughter’s plight. 

Dr Sreekanth Namboothri, who was part of the team that operated on Rosemary in South India, spoke exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, on her journey to recovery.  

A collage image of Rosemary Odinga posing for a photo (left) and Raila Odinga helping her walk during a past event (right).

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Convincing Raila

Rosemary’s sister, Winnie Odinga, played a key role in her recovery. 

Winnie, who has also played an active role in her father’s politics, took the lead in her trip abroad, reviewed the doctor’s in-depth analysis and was the one who convinced Raila to test the traditional Indian treatment known as Ayurveda. 

But how did Winnie find out that the Indian treatment was better than South Africa’s and Israel’s where Rosemary was first treated to no avail. 

Raila Odinga’s well-wisher and friend based in India, Byragoni Sreenivas Goud, played a key role in facilitating the whole process. 

He first visited Sreedhareeyam, the world-renowned Ayurvedic Hospital in July 2019 and met with the panel of doctors led by Dr Narayanan Namboothiri (Chief Physician), Dr Sreekala Namboothiri (Deputy Chief Physician) and Dr Sreekanth Namboothiri (Chief Medical Officer). 

“We asked for detailed medical reports of Rosemary. Mr Byragoni collected the medical records from Winnie Odinga. Byragoni was very much convinced that our hospital is a pioneer Ayurvedic Hospital specialising in Ophthalmology - the study of medical conditions relating to the eye. 

“After a thorough examination of the reports, I communicated the possible prognosis of the disease to Winnie Odinga. I assured her that there is a small ray of hope with which the power of Ayurveda can be exploited,” Dr Sreekanth told Kenyans.co.ke. 

The ophthalmologist was confident that he could prevent further deterioration of vision, and can make the vision stable first and then improve it gradually, correct the colour perception and field vision. 

After developing confidence in Sreedhareeyam and its treatment modalities, Winnie Odinga and her father agreed to send Rosemary to India. The family believed that this was the last hope for their daughter. 

“Mr Byragoni was very instrumental in guiding Rosemary to the correct place for the cure which is Sreedhareeyam. He was the key figure in bringing the two poles together for a noble cause of bringing back the lost vision,” Dr Sreekanth lauded Raila’s well-wisher. 

Raila Odinga’s well-wisher Mr Byragoni Sreenivas Goud (right) speaks with Rosemary Odinga (left) in India

courtesy

First Treatment 

Rosemary travelled to the hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala for the first time in July 2019. At that time, the attending doctors noted that her vision was almost nil. 

She could only recognise people with touch and was not able to perform her daily activities without the support of others. 

Raila, in a past interview, revealed that his daughter lost her vision due to a stroke and tumour in 2017 leading to optic nerve damage. Apart from Israel and South Africa as aforementioned, the family had also sought a cure in Germany and China.

Rosemary underwent treatment at Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre under the supervision of Dr Narayanan Namboothiri (Chief Physician), Dr Sreekala. N.P (Deputy Chief Physician) and Dr Sreekanth. P. Namboothiri (Chief Medical Officer). 

“At the time of admission, Rosemary could not identify her doctors and caregivers, she merely recognised us by their voice and touch. Her vision was almost to the bare minimum. Soon after the first course of treatment, her vision got stable and there was a notable improvement in her field of vision. 

“The team of doctors at Sreedhareeyam elucidated the Ayurvedic diet and regimen that had to be followed throughout the course of treatment to her. This diet was very much different from the cuisine in Kenya,” the doctor noted. 

But Rosemary had pledged to get her vision back. With her immense willpower and determination, she followed all the advice of her doctors. 

Three months after the first course of treatment, she noticed a significant improvement in the quality of vision. 

She was able to recognize the colour of her bedsheet and read the messages popping up on her phone. There was a remarkable improvement even from the first visit itself.

Breakout of the Pandemic 

Due to the travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic, Rosemary could not visit Sreedhareeyam in the following year. 

Her doctors and family members, however, remained very supportive. 

The medics at Sreedhareeyam Hospital continuously tracked her progress and were advising treatment and medicines from time to time according to her condition online. She was given custom made medicines, which were prepared at Sreedhareeyam Hospital to ensure their quality.

Her family was reported to have been very excited to see the progress made by her. In order to meet her doctors in person and thank them, Raila Odinga accompanied her to the hospital in February 2022.

Azimio La Umoja presidential aspirant and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in India in February 2022.

courtesy

Second Treatment and Recovery 

The prime objective of the second course of in-patient treatment was to improve her vision further, according to her doctors. The duration of the treatment was 21 days. 

Her treatment protocol for this course of treatment was planned by three most experienced doctors at Sreedhareeyam, Narayanan, Sreekala and Anjaly Sreekanth. 

The doctors also noted a huge difference in her first and second trips. 

“When she came for the first time in 2019, she was not able to see her doctors, she could only recognize them through their voices. But the entire scenario was a bit different this time. 

“She could perceive the corporal forms of her saviours, the doctors and staff of Sreedhareeyam Hospital. She was overwhelmed with emotions when she saw Dr Sreekanth in physical form for the first time and words couldn't express that touching moment. She cried with joy, ‘Dr Sreekanth this time I could see you’,” the doctor recalls. 

After the two courses of treatment, there was a significant improvement in her vision. She was able to perform her daily activities herself without the help of others. 

She recognized colours and her field of vision improved. 

Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) in India on February 13, 2022

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Raila Odinga

Officers serving in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been given tough conditions if they fail to take the Covid-19 jab.

In a letter dated December 20, 2021, that was seen by Kenyans.co.ke, KDF officers were directed to take the jab to avoid the looming punishment.

All officers and KDF personnel were informed that they have been given a month to get the vaccine, meaning they have until January 20, 2022, to do so.

Further, they were warned that the military will be moving ahead to discharge personnel and officers who will have failed to comply with the vaccine mandate.

Kenya has opened discussions with Covax which will see top private hospitals in the country buy Covid-19 vaccines for their wealthy clientele.

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"This is, therefore, to direct that officers and service personnel have been given one month to be fully vaccinated, failure to which they shall be discharged from service appropriately," the letter, signed by Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Francis Ogolla, read in part.

According to the letter, a huge number of KDF officers and personnel are yet to be vaccinated despite the government's directive and the availability of the vaccine.

"In the KDF, vaccines are available for both officers and service personnel. Many are yet to receive the first dose and out of those who have, only 75% are fully vaccinated," the letter stated.

In November KDF issued a directive regarding those seeking to join the military but have not been vaccinated.

Through an announcement made by Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Francis Ogolla, KDF stated that those who are not vaccinated will be not be discriminated against.

The National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) on Coronavirus directed that all people seeking in-person government services must be fully vaccinated and proof of vaccination availed by 21/12/2021. 

Kenyans shunning the Covid-19 vaccination will also not be able to access business premises, the Ministry of Health announced. 

Health CAS, Mercy Mwangangi, issued a tough directive to businesses in Kenya amid the vaccination drive by the government.

The Health CAS directed all businesses to ask for Covid-19 certificates before providing any services to customers.

Commander Kenya Air Force (KAF) Major General Francis Ogolla on Wednesday, 10 March 2021, taking part in the ongoing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) COVID -19 vaccination exercise at Moi Air Base (MAB) in Nairobi.

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The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) wants the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, to investigate a police officer who filed an affidavit against Justice Sankale ole Kantai. The Judge was roped into the murder of the late Tob Cohen by the officer who accused him of being part of the well-oiled plan to eliminate the Dutch Tycoon. 

In a letter dated Thursday, October 7, and in our possession, the murder case may now take a paradigm shift considering that the officer, John Gachomo, a Director and detective at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) filed the affidavit without involving the ODPP.

In the affidavit, Gachomo swore that he was part of a team of detectives that investigated the murder of the tycoon. He also claimed that Sankale played an active role in both the planning and cover-up of the gruesome murder.

The office of the DCI also accused the ODPP of attempting to terminate the investigation against the Judge, terming it as illegal and unconstitutional. 

DCI headquarters

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DPP’s office, however, stated that the evidence provided by the DCI could not be admissible in court as they had not been notified prior to Gachomo swearing the affidavit. A source from the ODPP further indicated that the contents contained in Gachomo’s affidavit were misleading.

“He went and swore an affidavit in court and so he lied to the court by saying that he was one of the investigators in the Tob Cohen case but that was not the case. He wasn't. At the time, he was the head of ATPU,” the source told Kenyans.co.ke.

“The contents of the affidavit that they presented to the court was misleading. Whatever they presented there was not what they had presented to the ODPP, therefore, the DCI officer is lying to the court and that in itself is an offense.”

In the letter, the ODPP urged Mutyambai to have the DCI explain why the prosecutor was not enjoined in the matter as well as why the evidence presented in the affidavit was leaked to the press before it was handed to the DPP.

In the court documents filed on Friday, October 8, and certified as urgent, the ODPP sought to be enjoined in the ongoing proceedings against the Judge noting that it was an interested party in the matter.

The ODPP also indicated that the DCI had failed to execute its mandate even after being directed to carry out more investigations and provide evidence linking the Court of Appeal Judge to the matter.

In a supporting affidavit attached to the suit, Victor Mule, the acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, confirmed that the ODPP only approved evidence supporting the involvement of Sarah Cohen and Peter Njoroge Karanja in the murder of the tycoon, whose criminal case is still pending at the High Court.

In February 2020, DCI forwarded a file to the ODPP seeking to charge Sankale with murder, arguing that after Cohen went missing, Sarah maintained contact with Sankale and talked for over seven minutes on one occasion. 

"The only agenda for discussion at this point in time was the murder of Tob Cohen which had just been executed few hours prior to this discussion.”

"It is highly believed that the discussions centered on how to dispose of the body and come up with ways and means of effecting cover-up to conceal any trace of evidence,” read the letter in part.

The following month, on March 17, 2020, the ODPP replied asking DCI to provide cogent justification regarding Sarah Cohen’s relationship with the Judge showing that their correspondence proved that they were colluding in the murder. 

The ODPP followed up with another letter to DCI asking for the file to be submitted four months after it had been returned. DCI was also yet to respond six months after the office had been asked to carry out more investigations.

Towards the end of August, Sankale sued the police for linking him to the murder of the dutch tycoon without any evidence. 

Naming the Inspector General of Police (IG) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Judge argued that the shameful move grossly injured his reputation as a respected member of society and among his learned peers. 

Dutch tycoon Tob Cohen was found dead on Friday, September 13, in a septic tank in the Spring Valley area, along the Lower Kabete Road, 40 days after he was reported missing. DCI established that the tycoon had passed away on July 20.

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As unemployment in Kenya continues to bite the youth population, Technical University of Kenya (TUK) graduate Kioko Musiuki found himself working as a matatu tout days after losing his formal job in Nairobi.

Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke on Monday, October 4, Musiuki noted that his academic and employment journey has been rough since he left high school in 2011.

He noted that he worked as a construction worker in 2012 to raise money for upkeep as well as save for some which he used as school fees when he enrolled at TUK to pursue a Degree in Engineering.

After the Westgate incident, life in the construction industry became unbearable and so he opted to switch to the matatu industry where he joined as a tout.

TUK engineering graduate Kioko Muriuki.

File

"I started working in the Matatu industry in 2012. I left high school in 2011. I started working in construction in 2012 but life was tough after the Westgate attack. I later joined another site and raised money to get me through school. I joined in 2014 (at TUK). 

"When I finished school, life was still tough and I returned to the industry. I joined Baba Dogo Matatu Sacco as a conductor which I have been working as a conductor till to date," he stated.

At the beginning of 2020, he, however, secured an entry-level position at a local company located at Southern House in Nairobi where he pocketed a Ksh20,000 monthly salary.

The pandemic, however, derailed his trajectory a month and a half later which forced the company he worked for to mandate its workforce to work from home.

The company had a staff of four at the time with several other employees distributed across the city for various projects.

He later lost the job alongside his colleagues and he returned back to Baba Dogo Sacco to make ends meet.

"I made countless applications. I always applied for jobs in all opportunities I got. I made applications until I got to the elastic limit," he added.

He notes that survival in the industry can be tough due to extreme fluctuations whose daily earnings can sink as lower as zero.

He also noted that since the pandemic hit, the matatu sector has been adversely affected shrinking his earnings.

"This job is just like any other business, it does not have a fixed income. There are days I left with no income in a day.

"The job is very difficult because people are usually in different moods. It is like serving a community," he observed.

The graduate is now looking for another job and says that his skills also include driving, masonry, architecture and surveying.

By the end of 2020, over five million people lost their sources of income as a result of the pandemic. In 2021, 740,000 individuals have so far lost their jobs.

File image of Ngong Matatus on Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Kakamega Forest is the only remaining Guineo-Congolian rainforest in Kenya, and remains to be one of Africa’s most valuable tropical rainforests. 

Earlier, the forest stretched from West Africa, all the way to Western Kenya. However, the forest was cleared from West Africa to Uganda to create more room for agricultural activities.  

Kakamega forest is now the largest tropical rainforest in East Africa and a ‘Botanical hotspot’ in East Africa. It is located in Kakamega and Vihiga county, covering 240 square Kilometres. 

The forest stands out in the world for the hundreds of plant and animal species in it. The forest has no big 5 but has species not spotted anywhere else in the world. 

One of the unique birds in Kakamega forest

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For instance, as of 2021, the forest has 367 recorded bird species, which include the hornbill, The Great Blue Turaco, quelea, guinea fowls. Out of these, 16 species have not been discovered anywhere else in the word. 

As of fauna, the forest has over 380 plant species, and 9 of these have also not been seen anywhere else. This makes trees like Olea Capensis, commonly known as Elgon teak, the most endangered species.

However, the rare species make the forest very unique, and tourists from all over the world visit the forest to watch the bird species and record documentaries on the same, which is a big boost to the country's economy. 

One very distinctive feature about the forest is that it has over 489 recorded butterfly species. This is largely the inspiration behind butterfly farming along River Yala, which is one of the rivers flowing through the forest. 

Kakamega forest has 28 species of the most dangerous snakes in the world. These snakes, however, play a major role in the production of medicinal properties used in various fields. Specialists in the forest, for instance, extract venom from the snakes, and use it to make anti-snake bite medicine. 

The rare snake species in the forest include Gold's Cobra, West African species such as the Barred Green Snake, Black-lined Green Snake, Jameson's Mamba, Green Bush-viper, Prickly Bush-viper and Rhinoceros-horned Viper. 

There are many rivers traversing through the forest, and one of them is River Yala. There is a waterfall along that river inside the forest, which has the capacity to produce hydroelectricity enough to serve the three neighbouring counties of Vihiga, Kakamega and Nandi.

Mondia whitei, commonly known as mukombero, a shrub from the Apocynaceae family, naturally grows in the forest. Mukombero is a perennial, woody climber with a bittersweet flavour that almost tastes like ginger and has a vanilla-like aroma. The root is famed for its aphrodisiac properties and so far a French company has shown interest in it. The company is demanding a hundred metric tons of it for the first export, with local farmers set to start benefiting in the coming months. 

Many activities take place in the forest, including fishing, agriculture, and sourcing rare nutritious food. The Southern part of the forest is a tourist attraction site, and has led to the transformation of a family home into ‘Rondo Retreat Centre’, an iconic hotel located inside the forest. 

Rondo retreat centre, a beautiful hotel located inside the Kakamega Forest.

tripadvisor.com

A hot rod has attracted nationwide attention with viral videos picked from his Instagram page shared widely on other social media platforms. 

“It is a Rolls Royce,” one Tik-Tok argued while on Twitter, others debated that it was a Ferrari look alike. 

The beauty of it all is that the car is handmade, designed and built from scratch by a 38-year-old automotive enthusiast, Calvin de Souza. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, August 25, the Nairobi based designer detailed the inspiration behind Kenya’s fastest car that, he claimed, clocks 280 kilometres per hour. The test run was reportedly conducted by renowned rally driver Tejes Hirani, in a 5-kilometre speed test on GPS. 

Calvin de Souza's hot rod

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Hot rods are typically old, classic, or modern cars that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines modified for more speed and acceleration. The trend started in the US before spreading across the globe. 

They are built lighter which makes them faster. Hot rods have benders on the bonnet and the engines are mostly exposed. 

The 38-year-old started building cars with his father as a hobby and took up the craze, building and modifying cars as a career. 

“I started modifying a few cars before I built the hot rod. I started experimenting with the vintage car, 1940 Willys military jeep, so that I could compete in 4x4 events synonyms with veteran rally drivers such as Ian Duncan. 

“The jeep attracted so much attention as I dominated some of the 4x4 events. So I shifted to racing. I built my first drift car, an Altezza, with the powerful supra engine in 2017, 2018. However, I got involved in a near-fatal accident that forced my family to ground me,” Calvin recalled. 

Then in his youth, the car enthusiast’s arm was paralysed for nearly two years. He also underwent a number of surgeries and therapy. Calvin believed that his career was over, but this was his turning point. 

“My family had seen enough of my stupidity. They grounded my car and a lot of dramas ensued too. Being allowed to revive my career was a chance to prove to my family that I can be responsible and still build nice cars. 

“That was where the dream for the hot rod started. It encompassed everything I wanted in the car that I used to visualise and draw since my primary school days,” he stated. 

Calvin assembled all the components from the crashed car to build the hot rod. He redesigned the suspension components and reengineered a new chassis to be better suited for speed and agility. The engine was from the Toyota Supra. 

According to Calvin, the car is tuned, has 600 horsepower (hp), but at one point it was about 880 hp. It is 5 speed, has a single turbo and a 3000 cc, 6 cylinders, twin-cam (2 JZ GTE) engine. A twin-cam engine has two camshafts per bank of the cylinder head, one each for the intake valves and exhaust valves.

Apart from designing the hot rod, Calvin has also modified several other cars, including, a white Mazda Miata, a 1940 International pickup that the British used during the colonial era in Kenya. 

Calvin de Souza at work

Instagram

“In fact, the pickup left my garage today (Wednesday, August 25). We gave it big wheels, turbo, suspension and engine. Am also working on a Ford tractor that will have a V8 engine,” he told this writer. 

In March 2021, he started receiving clients who request modifications. He first assembled a VW Beetle, giving it a 6 cylinder 3600 cc twin-cam engine. 

“I always request that they allow me to be free and experiment with my creativity and outdo myself. There are a lot of Kenyans who pimp and modify cars but you have to understand your niche. 

“My main ambition in life is to show that creativity pays and to inspire those who are unable to go to school to understand that they can do a lot more with their life. We have creative minds in this country, but who believe that motorsport and building cars are for foreigners. I want to be driving on the Kenyan roads and see locally made creative cars ruling the highways,” he wished. 

Calvin added that he aspires to launch his own company and compete with Tanzanians and Ugandans who, he stated, are also experimenting with new techniques and modifications. 

“We were to showcase over 19 cars at the Concours d'Elegance 2020 and 2021 but the events were suspended when the pandemic broke out,” he stated. 

The 38-year-old further clarified that he was not related to media personality Eve D'Souza. “I get asked that a lot and always wonder if people ask her if she is related to me too."

Watch Calvin driving his hot rod 

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Witty, that’s how I can describe Owiti Kasuku, an actor who has risen to prominence with his comical role in Citizen TV’s drama series, Zora. Kasuku portrays the role of Ogola, a watchman at Oliver (Peter Ngugi’s) home. 

For a youth who has worked with one of the best comedians in the country, Felix Odiwour (Jalang’o), Kasuku has so many jokes under his sleeves. 

It is no wonder he is one of the revered actors in the series produced by power couple Rashid Abdalla and Lulu Hassan.

“I draw inspiration from Jalang’o. My longest-serving boss at Culture Spills and Arena,” Kasuku told Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, August 5. 

Fred Alvince Owiti Kasuku and Neema Sulubu

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“Fred Alvince Owiti Kasuku also known as Osuko and now Ogola hails from Olando village, Kibwer Sub-Location, Gwassi Location, Suba District in Homa Bay County. I always say I am from Cuba, sorry I mean Suba,” he responded while breaking into his trademark laughter. 

Prior to landing his role in Zora, the thespian graced a number of shows from Comedy Arena and Churchill Show. He also made a cameo appearance at The Real Househelps of Kawangware as Nebuchadnezzar.

“I have been acting since High School. After Form Four, I joined Rabala Theatre in Homa Bay before joining Kenyatta University. In Nairobi, I enrolled at Thetrix Arts and later on Jicho 4 where I was a set-book actor. 

“A few months later, I joined Culture Spills and acted in Luo dialect public shows at Kenya National Theatre. I also worked at Heartstrings Entertainment at Alliance Francaise, Renegade, Festival of Creative Arts (FCA) and many more,” the former stand up comedian at Kenya Kona stated. 

Comedian Owago Onyiro notified him of the Zora auditions conducted by production Jiffy Pictures, owned by Lulu and Rashid. Actors were asked to send short clips via Whatsapp. 

Kasuku opted to try his luck, was selected and auditioned for the watchman role. 

“Next, I was on TV. I enjoy my role as it reminds me of a security guard back at Mbita High School where I schooled. I, therefore, relate,” Kasuku detailed how he appeared on Citizen TV. 

Speaking about his role in Zora, the actor stated that Ogola the cast and Kasuku the individual were two different people in different worlds. In real life, he is more focused but also people-oriented. 

Cagey to speak about his private life, the thespian only mentioned that he is in a relationship and looked forward to a happy life. 

“Yes, I have future plans for my life and the sky's the limit. I plan as a man but God fulfils. All we need in life is to have a dream and then pursue it. Trust the process, there are no shortcuts in life,” he stated. 

Kasuku studied Education Science (Mathematics/Chemistry) at Kenyatta University but is yet to graduate. Acting has been a long-standing passion, one that he hopes to blend with his professional career in future. He also plays football occasionally. 

Fred Alvince Owiti Kasuku portrays the role of Ogola, a security guard in Citizen TV's drama series Zora

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Caroline Kangogo’s husband, a police officer at Maritime Police Unit in Mombasa County, attended the burial of his late wife in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County on Thursday, July 29. 

The officer requested not to be allowed to speak as his in-laws interred their daughter, who was alleged to have died by suicide. 

He, however, took a seat near his daughter and son, who also travelled to pay their last respect to their mother. The officer sat in the same dais as Kangogo’s parents and maintained his cool, hiding emotions behind dark sunglasses.

“Kangogo’s husband declined to address the mourners owing to the controversy surrounding her death. The children too did not speak. 

The late corporal Caroline Kangogo (left) and her husband (right)

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“Her brother read the eulogy on the parent’s behalf, as they too requested not to speak,” a reporter at the funeral in Nyawa village, Iten told Kenyans.co.ke.

He added that the deceased’s parents refuted allegations that their relationship with Kangogo’s husband had turned sour. 

Kangogo, in an alleged suicide note recovered at the murder scene, claimed that the husband was the source of her woes. In the message saved as a draft on her phone, the corporal reportedly wrote that she never found peace after the husband allegedly left her for another woman. 

The embattled couple were allegedly entangled in a messy divorce case. Kangogo, who was accused of assassinating two individuals - police constable John Ogweno and security expert Peter Ndigwa - claimed that she spared the life of her husband. 

An excerpt of the alleged note read:

From Tuesday, I was in Mombasa and always saw you being picked and dropped. I wanted to kill you but I sympathised with my kids.

Depression is real, please assist those you know. My divorce pushed me to be inhuman. My father disowned me due to a failed marriage. My husband was allegedly first in calling my father and my brother to cover up his mistakes and they all fell into his trap. 

Nothing belongs to my husband for I started from scratch after he allegedly left us. Since I met you, my husband, I have never known peace due to your mistreatments. Always allegedly chasing after women tortured me physically, mentally.

Since everything happened please take good care of our kids and don’t neglect them - as your first wife. Please don’t take advantage of love...current divorce 

 I forgave you. I hope you do the same. 

Kangogo’s parents declined to honour her cremation wish and instead buried her in the wedding gown she chose. They preferred burying her according to the family’s Christian traditions. 

Political leaders who attended the funeral urged the government and the National Police Service to look into the mental health of police officers.

Caroline Kangogo's parents (right) at her burial in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County on Thursday, July 29, 2021

Kenyans.co.ke

Fugitive police, Caroline Kangogo's body was found in her parent's bathroom on Friday, July 16. Police alleged that she died by suicide. 

However, experts alleged that the crime scene may have been fabricated and analysed that Kangogo may have been murdered. 

The wanted police officer left a suicide note with instructions to her parents and brother. She also narrated how her marriage allegedly failed, how she was reportedly sexually harassed by a senior police officer and how she wished to be interred.  

Read the full suicide note. 

Police fetch Caroline Kangogo's body from her parents' home in Anin, Elgeyo Marakwet County

File

Hi bro, please take good care of my kids. Their father is allegedly too much into women because every visit to Mombasa they could vow we go together because daddy's friends reportedly harass them by calling them names i.e his lovers. 

To my people, it's my wedding day - dress me in a white gown that my husband could not afford. 

To my parents, I am requesting my body to be cremated to end your suffering. Remember to take good care of my children. For the things in Kasarani, hire movers for safe delivery here. 

Nothing belongs to my husband for I started from scratch after he allegedly left us. 

For you my love JOHN OGWENO, our love was made in Heaven that's why since Monday, a day after the incident, you always embrace me with love and forgiveness and tell me it is well with your soul despite living in separate worlds. May our kids live in peace, love, forgiveness, success and being God-fearing. REST WELL AND SEE YOU SOON.

To my beloved parents, siblings, children, colleagues, extended family in Ogweno's family - the officer she allegedly killed in Nakuru County - sorry for letting you down. Please find a place in your heart to forgive me. I really feel for your wife and kids. Sorry mama I didn't mean to. 

For Peter Njiru Ndigwa, I don’t owe anyone an apology. He allegedly conned me Ksh1.5 million whereby Ksh300,000 I borrowed from my father’s retirement benefits...then he arrogantly tells me he isn't paying and I even found him with a new Probox. Confirm with Corporal ***, she has the cheques issued by Ndigwa. I served him right. 

Depression is real, please assist those you know. My divorce pushed me to be inhuman. My father disowned me due to a failed marriage. My husband was allegedly first in calling my father and my brother to cover up his mistakes and they all fell into his trap. 

Since I met you, my husband, I have never known peace due to your mistreatments. Always allegedly chasing after women tortured me physically, mentally and the likes of Peter Ndigwa. Since everything happened please take good care of our kids and don’t neglect them - as your first wife. Please don’t take advantage of love...current divorce 

From Tuesday, I was in Mombasa and always saw you being picked and dropped. I wanted to kill you but I sympathised with my kids. I forgave you. I hope you do the same. 

Detectives conduct forensics and ballistic analysis at Caroline Kangogo's parents home in Anin, Elgeyo Maralwet County

File

The status quo remains in force. My husband allegedly dumped me for another woman so it means my parents will bury my body, my two plots kindly as written in divorce contact - RK.  

For my divorce, contact RK agencies for the second title because one title is in my house in Kasarani.

To Kenya Police, I went through stress as the Senior Police Officer allegedly put me through hell when I resisted sex. He couldn't understand my son's asthmatic condition and my ulcers and admissions in the hospital. I hope you are now happy.

With the little money, you get please pay brother chumbas full fees and rent because I was his hope so as to assist his parents and siblings. Kindly adhere to my instructions.

I am Caroline Chemutai, the killer cop, thanks. All the best. 

Also, let father manage everything because I trust and love him. I LOVE YOU ALL AND GOODBYE TILL WE MEET AGAIN. 

Kenyans.co.ke reached out to her father, former police officer, Barnaba Kibor, but he declined to comment on his daughter's suicide. 

"I have nothing to say at this moment," a distraught Kibor stated after allowing Kenyans.co.ke to wish his family strength and fortitude to bear the loss of their daughter. 

Caroline Kangogo reportedly wrote a detailed suicide note explaining why she allegedly killed a police officer and a security expert and also ended her own life. 

Detectives at the scene of the crime found the message saved as a draft in her kabambe (mulika mwizi) phone she was using to avoid being tracked by the DCI Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau. 

Sources privy to the developments at Kangogo’s parents’ home in Anin, Elgeyo Marakwet County alleged that the deceased wished to be buried in her wedding dress. Kangogo urged her parents to inter her at their home rather than at her husband’s home in Kericho as the two had differed on undisclosed matters.  

“She knew that her end was near and wrote the message, narrating the intrigues into her case,” the insider, a close member of the family told Kenyans.co.ke on Friday, July 16. 

Detectives conduct forensics and ballistic analysis at Caroline Kangogo's parents home in Anin, Elgeyo Maralwet County

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Sexual Harassment 

A police officer at the scene shared the contents of the suicide note under anonymity. Kangogo lamented that a senior police officer back in Nakuru allegedly sexually harassed her. She, however, did not explain whether she filed a complaint with the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU). 

The accused officers declined to comment on the allegations when contacted by Kenyans.co.ke and referred the case to the DCI offices. 

Deal Gone Sour 

The deceased was also angered by one of her allies, Peter Ndigwa, reportedly swindling her Ksh2.7 million in a car deal that went sour. Kangogo was accused of killing the security expert in Juja, Kiambu County. 

"We suspect that Kangogo may have demanded the money back but was ignored. It is a theory we are pursuing. We have factual leads," a detective had disclosed on Thursday, July 9.

Details of why she murdered her colleague, John Ogweno, at Kasarani Police Station, Nakuru, however, remained scanty. 

Family Wrangles 

The deceased further reportedly reiterated that she wanted to murder his husband, a senior police officer attached to the Maritime Police Unit in Mombasa. The two sired two children, aged 8 and 11.

Reports indicated that Kangogo threatened her husband that he would suffer the same fate as her victims. 

Detectives at the crime scene noted that Kangogo reportedly wrote that she would have assassinated the husband had he been in Nairobi. Travelling to Mombasa was hectic and needed more stealth and cover and the marine unit was also heavily guarded and entry would have proven tedious. 

Corporal Caroline Kangogo was reportedly spotted in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County

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She also reportedly had a feud with her father, former police officer Barnaba Kibor. The origin of the wrangle was kept under wraps. 

Kangogo’s father declined to comment on all the aforementioned issues when contacted by Kenyans.co.ke. 

"I have nothing to say at this moment," Kibor stated and asked to be left to mourn his daughter in peace. 

Kangogo’s body was taken to a morgue at Iten County Referral Hospital pending a post mortem. Detectives sealed off the murder scene and conducted forensic and ballistic investigations. Her firearm and mobile phone were recovered.

The officer reportedly took her own life on Friday morning, July 16 at her parent’s latrines in Anin, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya confirmed. 

Occurrence Book Report 

A police report filed at Tambach Police Station reiterated that Kangogo committed suicide. The location chief alerted the police who rushed to the crime scene. Leah Kangogo, the deceased's mother, was reported to have found the body in the bathroom, lying in a pool of blood. 

The bathroom is located 40 meters from the parent's house. 

"It was confirmed that the suspect was truly Caroline Kangogo. It is suspected that she might have shot herself below the chin using the firearm. The bullet exited on the head slightly above the left ear. At the scene was one Ceska pistol which was cocked and had a magazine loaded with 8 rounds of ammunition.

"One used cartridge and one bullet in the head were also recovered. The deceased was wearing black trousers, a yellow pullover and had covered her head with a black shawl. The scene was processed by crime scene personnel and the body was taken to Iten Referral mortuary pending an autopsy. Inquest opened to that effect," an extract of the report read. 

Caroline Kangogo's body found lying in their parent's bathroom on Friday, July 16

(COURTESY)