The case against Pastor James Ng'ang'a has taken an unexpected twist days after his acquittal with Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i now stepping in urging the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to appeal the ruling.
The Neno Evangelism Centre was on Friday acquitted by Limuru Chief Magistrate Godfrey Oduor of the murder of one Mercy Njeri along the Naivasha-Nakuru highway.
The preacher's car was in July 2015 involved in a car accident that ended the life of Ms Njeri and seriously injured her husband.
On Monday, a letter from the Interior CS copied to DPP Noordin Haji and IG Joseph Boinnet stated that: “The Ministry notes with surprise the acquittal handed down in the above case where we believe a brazen crime was committed by the accused person.
[caption caption="Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i "]
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“While seeking a report on the investigatory and trial processes that may have caused this outcome, I urge you to appeal this judgment in its entirety and pursue justice for the victims herein and the people of Kenya."
Matiang'i requested for the investigative file and trial proceedings and directed the Director of Criminal Investigations to carry out new investigations into the case.
“With a view to guiding the Judicial Service Commission, the Inspector General, the Director of Public Prosecution and I on suitable corrective and deterrent action to take against persons found culpable for improper handling of this case," the letter read in part.
Pastor Ng’ang’a was acquitted alongside driver Simon Kuria and police officers Christopher Nzioka and Patrick Baya for the murder of Ms Njeri.
This action led to a public outroar especially on social media under the hashtag #JusticeForMercyNjeri.
"There were eyewitnesses lined from Kinale all the way to Limuru saying the vehicle was being erratically driven and overtaking dangerously but the Judge said the evidence was not enough," one user wrote.
Another lamented: "A poor man steals a hen and is jailed for two years. In the same country, a rich man driving careless and he is drunk kills a person and walks free."
[caption caption="Reactions on social media"]
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