Kariobangi North Member of County Assembly Joel Munuve's sudden demise has taken a new twist after his postmortem was postponed on Thursday to allow for the involvement of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The family of the MCA, whose passing has raised a lot of speculations after details emerged that he was planning to table an impeachment motion against Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, will have to wait longer to know what eliminated their loved one.
The family’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, while addressing the media, confirmed that the postmortem has been postponed to allow the involvement of the DCI and other interested parties.
Apart from the government pathologist and the DCI team, Omari confirmed that the family and the County Assembly of Nairobi were at liberty to also have their pathologists oversee the matter.
''We have confirmed that the DCI specialised unit will help the team of pathologists from the government side to do the postmortem. The family has an option to get their private pathologist," Omari stated.
''The County Assembly also has an option for its own pathologist. The honourable is a member of the political class. Given that, the law does not stop anybody from appointing a pathologist,'' he added.
The Kariobangi North MCA, elected as an independent candidate in a space largely controlled by party politics, was a relentless watchdog in an environment many viewed as compromised. His sudden passing on Tuesday sent shockwaves through the county assembly.
Munuve was reportedly on his way to town when he began experiencing severe chest pains. Despite attempts to rush him to a hospital along Kiambu Road in Nairobi, he passed away before receiving medical attention.
On Wednesday, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja cautioned against being drawn into speculation over the passing away of Munuve, adding that a full investigation to determine the cause of his sudden demise is underway.
While speaking on Citizen TV, Sakaja revealed that the results of an autopsy were to be released today as speculation mounts on the MCA’s demise, which was clouded in mystery.
"Allow me to pass my deepest condolences to Kariobangi North MCA Joel Munuve, who passed away after collapsing at his home. I do not know why you call it execution, as the autopsy results will be released tomorrow," Sakaja noted.
''Demise is a very serious thing, and it is not something we can play with or politicise. He was very firm and passionate about the issues he believed in. But what we want to allay this political speculation is a full investigation into what happened.''
Munuve was a vocal critic of Sakaja, frequently seeking answers on various county projects, and was at the forefront of demanding transparency. His demise came shortly after he had requested a statement over Sakaja’s 'Dishi na County' school feeding programme.
